East Central Il Community Action Agency

Community services block grant (csbg) services are designed to help families overcome immediate crisis and obtain self-sufficiency. Specific services offered through csbg are determined annually via community needs assessment. Csbg services offered are college scholarship, employment readiness resources (i.e. Uniforms), summer academic camp registration sponsorship, senior nutrition meals trainings and resources; rent and rent deposit assistance, natural disaster crises assistance, car repairs, and three annual health and wellness events. In the fiscal year 2024, 972 income eligible households received varied csbg assistance; and a total of $738,144 of community services funds was expended to assist families in ford, iroquois and vermilion counties.

The illinois home weatherization assistance program (ihwap) provides income eligible and qualified homeowners and renters with weatherization measures within the homes that increases the homes' energy conservation and ultimately reduces heating and cooling utility bills. All houses receive a thorough inspection by the state of illinois certified assessors. Weatherization measures may include repair or replacement of hvac systems and hot water tanks, insulation of walls, attics and crawl spaces, sealing and caulking of doors and windows and minor roof repairs. In the fiscal year of 2024, 35 homes received weatherization measures, and a total of $735,341 of housing project funds was expended to households in ford, iroquois and vermilion counties.

The percentage of income payment plan (pipp) program allows eligible customers to pay a percentage of their monthly income to maintain their utility service. The program is designed to provide customers with an affordable, level payment plan and a chance to eliminate past due balances. In 2024, the agency assisted 385 households make monthly utility-bill assistance payments towards their utility bills. A total of $367,133 in pipp funds was expended to assist families in ford, iroquois and vermilion counties.

Other program services.

Snap employment barrier reduction program provides specialized assistance to individuals and families receiving snap, tanf, or medicaid benefits who experience a barrier to gaining employment or who are at risk of homelessness. These funds are available to anyone on these programs, working, or actively looking for a job, who would benefit from barrier reduction support. In the fiscal year of 2024, 360 households were served with employment barrier removal services and $39,315 in snap brp funds was expended.