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Above: Link to Illinois Hardest Hit website

The State of Illinois has announced a program to help approximately 15,000 Illinois homeowners threatened by foreclosure. The Illinois Hardest Hit program utilizes $345 million in federal funds to support working families having trouble making mortgage payments due to unemployment or under-employment.

Tri-County Opportunities Council is proud to be serving as a local review agency! Click here for more details.

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Please help us by completing our 2013 Client Survey about our programs.

Click here to take the survey for anyone who has received services.

The Tri-County Opportunities Council is the Community Action Agency serving the nine Illinois counties of Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside. Its purpose is to investigate the frequent, location, character and causes of poverty and to coordinate efforts to prevent, alleviate and eliminate poverty through cooperation/collaboration with the entire community. More specifically, the Council’s goals are:

· To strengthen and enable low-income people to become self-sufficient through the attaining of necessary skills, knowledge, motivations and opportunities as well as improving the conditions in which they live.

· To better organize a wide range of services and outcomes related to the needs of low-income people by the utilization of innovative approaches in attacking the causes of poverty including the support of self-help groups and cooperative efforts of low-income people.

· To encourage the participation of low-income people in the planning, development and implementation of programs/projects and in the decision making processes of governmental entities affecting their lives.

· To increase the capacity of the agency and its community to achieve results by planning and coordinating federal, state, local and private assistance related to the elimination of poverty through partnerships with public officials, private organizations, business, industry and individuals.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

In 1981, Governor James R. Thompson designated the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to administer the Federal Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program. In its administration of this block grant, the department helps to alleviate both the causes and effects of poverty. There is an equal emphasis on long-range programs which lift individuals out of poverty conditions and programs which relieve the immediate problems faced by the poor.

Family and Community Development

Family Development Programs are programs designed to support and assist families in need of additional, more intensive services. These programs offer families the opportunity to achieve their goals and to work toward leading a life of self-sufficiency. These programs look at what strengths the family possesses and how to use its strengths to overcome the barriers that have been holding the family back.

Foster Grandparents

From it inception in 1965, the Foster Grandparent Program has provided a chance for old and young alike to answer each other’s needs. As school based mentors, friends and role models, Foster Grandparents work one-on-one with children or in small groups in classroom settings assisting with academics, social skills or other special needs. They display an abundance of personal warmth, emotional maturity and social responsiveness. Foster Grandparents help children learn to succeed and be happy.

Homemakers

The Homemaker Program offers an important alternative to hospitalization or nursing home stay. It is a less expensive and more effective means of providing health care to clients who no longer require 24-hours a day care. The clients remain at home, enjoying a way of life as close to normal as possible, while receiving quality care.

Head Start/Early Head Start/Migrant Head Start

The TCOC Head Start Program is a comprehensive family development program for low-income families. The main goals of the program are to foster social competence and enhance self concept and self esteem. Implementation is accomplished through a balance of center and home activities shared by teachers and parents which recognize a child’s family as the main influence on his/her development.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

For many Illinois households, energy costs place a severe and continuing stress on the family’s budget. In some instances, the household is forced to make painful decisions regarding which bills to pay and which necessities to survive without. The LIHEAP Program is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services.

Weatherization and Housing

The Weatherization and Housing Program is designed to provide home weatherization services for eligible low-income households within the entire service area and concentrates on weatherizing homes to reduce the amount of fuel it takes to heat the home comfortably.

Job Opportunities

If you’re interested in a position at TCOC, click the link above for information.