Madison County CSBG Brochure

GED Class Information

Lewis & Clark Community College GED Class Information
Southwestern Illinois College  GED Class Information

The Madison County Community Services Block Grant Program provides a wide-range of services and activities that have a direct, measurable impact on the causes of poverty in the county.  Through implementation of the Community Services Block Grant Program, Madison County has established specific programs that address the problems of the poor and encourage self-sufficiency.

Utilizing funding provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and Madison County Community Development, the program utilizes between 10 percent of the annual grant to be set aside for economic development and job creating activities.

The  Madison County Community Services Block Grant Program offers the following programs:

• Vocational Training- Madison County Community Development contracts with the Madison County Employment & Training department, Lewis & Clark Community College, Southwestern Illinois College, and The Nurses' Station to provide training to clients that have a high potential for employment opportunities. 
• Adult Basic Education (GED) – Madison County Community Development works in coordination with Lewis & Clark Community College and Southwestern Illinois College at its Granite City campus to provide GED instruction and testing fees for income eligible students;
• Scholarship Program – Madison County Community Development annually awards 10 scholarships to students attending Southwestern Illinois College at Granite City, Lewis & Clark Community College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to assist eligible students with the expenses of a post-secondary education. High school seniors can contact their guidance office for information. Contact the Financial Aid office at the school for more information.
• Nutrition- CSBG funds are used to provide food assistance to local participating food pantries.  Contact local food pantries for assistance;
• Home Repairs – Madison County Community Development partners with IMPACT, CIL to provide accessibility ramps for disable clients.  Madison County Community Development partners with Senior Services Plus to provide a small home repair program to help senior homeowners remain in their homes;
• Senior Meals – The Community Services Block Grant program enables the home delivery and congregate site meals for for disable clients and with Senior Services Plus for home repairs for seniors to maintain their independence;
• Youth Education Programs – Madison County Community Development works with Riverbend Family Ministries to provide after school supplementary education services, after school programs.
• Summer Camp- Madison County Community Development partners with Venice Park District and Quad City Community Development for summer education and recreation programs for disadvantaged youth;
• Family Self-Sufficiency – The Madison County Housing Authority provides subsidized housing assistance to families while working with the families to attend training, obtain jobs and become self-sufficient.  Madison County Community Development provides financial assistance to fund the case management and supportive services elements of the program.
• Medical Assistance- Provides assistance to eligible clients for eye glasses and exam.

Income Eligibility Guidelines

At least 51% of the clients served by CSBG funds must be at or below the poverty level income.  Assistance may also be provided to clients at 125% of the poverty line.

2021 Income Guidelines
200% of Poverty (Income is calculated on 30-day gross income)

For additional information on the Madison County Development Community Services Block Grant program, contact Amy Lyerla at (618) 296-4382.

To apply for specific services, contact the agencies listed below:

Vision (Eye Glassware) Assistance
Madison County Urban League (Riverbend) (618) 463-1906
Madison County Catholic Charities (Tri-Cities) (618) 877-1184

 
For more information regarding the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program please visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity webpage at https://www.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityServices/HousingAssistance/CSBG/Pages/default.aspx