Community Services Block Grant Program

Call-in day: Friday mornings at 8:30 am (If Monday is not a holiday)
Appointments: Mondays

Eligibility is every two years.

All callers for rent appointments must have first attended the 3-hour financial literacy workshop for each year they call and are eligible.  If return again in two years, the caller must show evidence of further progress toward self-sufficiency.

Housing Assistance is defined as  households who need rent or mortgage if their circumstances have changed and have been out of their control (guardians of children whose parents are incarcerated, divorce, death of a spouse, job loss, bills from illness.) Assistance can be up to $600.00 for working households (30+ hours/week) and $500.00 for adults on disability or pension. 

Emergency Rental Assistance will be defined as households who face eviction due to extenuating circumstances out of their control within the 90-days prior to appointment. Examples are fires, floods, tornados.  Families with children will be the priority.

For able-bodied parents of children who are on disability and are not working, the  case manager will refer parent to job search, education, organizations that need volunteers, financial literacy workshops, etc. programs to complete.  If parent calls again and receives appointment, he/she must show evidence of a certificate(s) or other progress toward self-sufficiency to receive any rent.  Otherwise, he/she will be ineligible for CSBG services until progress is verified by documentation.  Progress is determined by case manager and coordinator.

All applicants must also attend a 3 hour life skills workshop and will receive a $25 gift card if they submit proper documentation.

Call-in day: Fridays at 8:30 am (if Monday is not a holiday)
Appointments: Mondays

Employment Supports is a program that provides support to working families who encounter situations out of their control which can or is causing a domino effect potentially resulting in crisis.  One-time assistance may be provided in the form of car repair, certification fee or uniform required by the job.  Assistance can be up to $600.00 for employed parents (at least 30 hours per week), to better assure they can retain stability or self-sufficiency.  An agency financial literacy class must be completed before attending the appointment.  When the certificate of completion for class is received, the applicant may call for an appointment. If the class cannot be attended due to work schedule, an on-line version well be made available.

After the appointment, the applicant must also attend a 3 hour life skills class and earn a $25 gift card with proper documentation.

Call-in day: Anytime
Appointments: Scheduled as needed

Appointments taken on same day as scheduled. Head Start students priority, school district and FQHC referrals follow as funding available.

Overview

• Scholarship applications are available from Community Resources in February and due by the first Friday in May.
• Scholarships are awarded in July of each year.
• Awards range from $500 to $2,500 per year. 
• Funding may be used for tuition, room and board, and books and fees.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a B Average if enrolled in an area other than the areas listed below.  Otherwise, your educational/training program must be in a designated area as determined by local employment opportunities.

2018 Approved Career Training Areas include:

• Accounting
• Arch & Construction Certificate or Degree
• Associate Nursing Degree
• Auto Body Repair Certificate
• Auto Body Tech Degree
• Automotive Technician Certificate or Degree
• Aviation Airframe Tech Certificate
• Barber/Cosmetology Certificate
• Basic Nurse Asst Certificate
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Business Degree
• CDL - Truck Driving
• Certified Logistics Technician
• Certified Nurse Assistant
• Certified Production Technician
• Clinical Lab Science
• Commercial Electrical Maintenance Degree or Certificate
• Communication
• Computer Technician Specialist Certificate
• Criminal Justice
• Electrical Distribution Lineman Degree
• Electrical Distribution Lineman Maintenance Certificate
• END (Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Tech)
• HVAC
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Management
• Medical Assisting Program
• Networking Admin or Tech Degree or Certificate
• Office Professional Degree *selective enrollment
• Registered Nurse
• Respiratory Care Degree
• Surgical Tech

1. Complete the application process to determine eligibility
2. Be a resident of Sangamon County
3. Demonstrate financial need
4. Be accepted for full time enrollment at an accredited Illinois College, University, or vocational school
5. Must submit all required documents a.  Application, b.  Photo ID, c.  Social Security Cards, d.  household income for the past 90 days.
6. Maintain a “C” Average
7. Three letters of reference
8. Be a full-time student
9. Written paragraph about most rewarding experience.
10. ACT Score if available
11. Second interview – meet with scholarship committee.

Application Process

• Applications available in February – call 535-3120
• Two categories of applications – Graduating  H.S. seniors and Adults
• Completed applications due to SCDCR by the first Friday in May.
• Applicant is called by staff to attend an appointment determine if income eligible.
• Applicant is called again to schedule and attend an interview with the CSBG Scholarship committee.

Awards

• Based on GPA and need.  Other funding also considered such as MAP (tuition) and PELL (tuition and room and board) grants from your Student Aid Report (SAR).
• Awards per year range from $500 - $2,500.

Other

• Awards only for Associate’s, Bachelor’s degrees or certifications for in-demand occupations.
• Must submit grades each semester.

In partnership with LLCC, up to 10 students are selected for 2 cohorts each year to attend a college-ready academy, a 8-week pre-C.N.A. and a C.N.A. module. There is no cost to students selected for the program. CSBG funding provides all tuition, books, supplies, uniforms and certification exam.  Interested persons should contact LLCC at 786-2069.

The pre-C.N.A. module consists of 16 weeks of College Success Skills, Keyboarding, ALEKS  Math and Pre-Healthcare. Each student also meets at least bi-weekly with a Community Resources case manager through the program and submits travel forms for re-imbursement at a rate of $7.50 per day. Once the program is completed, 12.5 college credits are earned by each student.  Once the certification test is taken and successfully passed, each certified C.N.A. is expected to seek and find employment and communicate with Community Resources regarding employment progress - for C.N.A. module only.

Adult Career Pathway-Healthcare Flyer (PDF)

Fishes & Loaves Outreach Ministries
C.N.A. and Personal Care Assistant Programs call 529-3333

In partnership with LLCC and Lawrence Education Center (LEC) Community Resources provides up to $120.00 for the four parts of the GED test. Students who have passed the GED practice test are referred to Community Resources by LLCC or LEC instructors. Contact LEC at (217) 525-3233 or LLCC at (217) 786-2349 for further information.

High school summer school financial assistance to students who need required courses to graduate.  Contact the agency for more information. Please contact Cheree Morrison at chereemo@sps186.org to explain your reason for summer school tuition need and to request summer school assistance appointment information.

(Required for rental assistance callers, employment support applicants and agency C.N.A. students.)

Take advantage of the Financial Education Workshops offered by area professionals every Wednesday from 9:00 – 12:00 at the Sangamon County Department of Community Resources. You will learn ways to help you live within your means and manage debt so it doesn’t manage you.  You will also learn how to develop a spending plan that will help you reach your goals.  In addition, you’ll learn why banks and credit unions are a great choice for your money, and be shown how to manage expenses if you have children and other tips on deductions you may be able to take on your taxes. Call to reserve a seat on anytime for Wednesday classes held from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. each week.  Walk-ins welcome if space allows.  No late arrivals over 10 minutes will be allowed to participate that day and must attend another day.