Tri-County Opportunities Council

Programs: Head start - a comprehensive child and family development program, head start annually provides center and home-based services for 534 three and four year old, low-income children. The program operates 17 licensed centers with 10 part-day classes, 19 extended day classes, and three full-day, full-year classes. Key components of the program are: school readiness skills; social and emotional development; medical, dental, mental health and nutrition services; support to children with disabilities and special needs; family supportive services; and parent education and involvement opportunities. Early head start: comprehensive head start services are provided for 116 pregnant women, infants or toddlers through both center and home-based options. This is a full-year program with the same services as those in the head start program. This program option serves 32 children in three licensed centers and 84 children in the home-based programming option.

energy assistance - these programs assist households at or below 150% of poverty with their home energy needs. The pipp program (percentage of income payment plan) was re-instated september 1, 2016. Applicants were given the choice between the pipp program or the liheap program. In 2017, 7,344 clients were assisted with the liheap funding and an additional 1,463 clients were enrolled in pipp. The agency also assisted 260 clients with intake/application for the jo carroll neighbor-to-neighbor program, 225 clients intake application for the comed hardship program and 83 applicants with ameren supplemental funding. Financial literacy and energy conservation tips are provided to clients at the time of application.

home weatherization - funded by hhs, doe, and state of illinois funds, we made 78 homes more energy efficient, during 2017. Weatherization includes such measures as weather stripping, caulking, insulation, set-back thermostats, replacement of windows, doors and refrigerators, if needed. There is also a furnace repair/replacement component. The outcome of this program is to reduce the amount of fuel needed to heat the home.

all other program services including community services block grant, elderly adult, emergency food and shelter.