Community Services Block Grant Program

CSBG is designed to provide services that assist low-income people to attain the skills, knowledge, and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.

Components of the program include:

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Housing Assistance

Due to restrictions with COVID 19 we are not seeing applicants in office. As an alternative, go to HelpIllinoisFamilies.com and fill out the Pre-application. Once complete, an application will be send via US mail and return to our office with copies of the required supporting documents. Housing assistance includes Rent and Mortgage assistance or Emergency rental assistance for extenuating circumstances such as fire, tornado, etc…

•Photo ID for all household members 18 years or older
•Social security cards for all household members
•Income for the last 30 days for all household members
•Signed lease
•5 day notice if applicable
•Any COVID related documentation you may have (note from Doctor, request to self-quarantine, etc.)

At this time we are not accepting applications for housing assistance that are not COVID related. We will begin taking those applications again on January 1, 2021

Employment Support Program

Car repairs can be considered for households that are working 30+ hours or more per week and need the vehicle to get back and forth from work/school. Uniform or work clothing assistance or certification fees assistance can be paid for those that are starting a new job/position or to maintain their position.

Pre C.N.A/C.N.A. Funded Courses with Transportation Assistance

In partnership with LLCC, 7 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

GED Test Funding Assistance

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 Tuition Assistance

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.

Weekly Financial Literacy Workshops

(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 and better manage your credit. 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. Calls to reserve a seat on Tuesdays for Wednesday classes. Walk-ins welcome if space allows. No late arrivals over 10 minutes will be allowed to participate that day and must attend another day.

For persons who work and cannot attend the day class, an evening a Financial Literacy Workshop will be held 2 Mondays each month from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

2021 INCOME GUIDELINES

Family Size	100% of Poverty	100% 30-Day	200% of Poverty	200% 30-Day
1	$12,880	$1,073	$25,760	$2,147
2	$17,420	$1,452	$34,840	$2,903
3	$21,960	$1,830	$43,920	$3,660
4	$26,500	$2,208	$53,000	$4,417
5	$31,040	$2,587	$62,080	$5,173
6	$35,580	$2,965	$71,160	$5,930
7	$40,120	$3,343	$80,240	$6,687
8	$44,660	$3,722	$89,320	$7,443

For family units with more than 8 members, add $4,540.00 for each additional member to arrive at yearly amounts for 100%. At 200% yearly amounts are increased by $9,080.00 for each additional member.

Approach to CSBG services to continue in 2021 & Beyond:

Because numerous customers return every year for services, all programs in 2021 & beyond will be written to better assist all customers to improve or gain stability or self-sufficiency. Providing services to those in most need due to circumstances out of their control and those who wish to participate in case management to achieve self-sufficiency have been the agency priority in 2015 and beyond.

Staff will offer eligible customers opportunities in the form of agency services and community partner referrals. Customers who do not follow through with referrals and obtain tools to progress toward self-sufficiency will be ineligible for services until they can verify progress. Services provided will be incentivized with opportunities for self-improvement through short term training, job-search workshops, financial literacy workshops, volunteer opportunities and mentoring.

Sangamon County Illinois