C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation



Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Outreach and Referral Services

The Community Services Block Grant Program provides a range of services which assist low-income people attain skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency.  The CSBG Program also provides low-income people with immediate life necessities such as food, shelter, transportation, and medicine, etc.  The agency has an Outreach Office in each of the counties served.  Qualified professional staff are trained to provide information, referral, and direct assistance to provide opportunities for low-income to overcome obstacles in maintaining or achieving self-sufficiency.  The local field staff is the first to make contact with people in need when they need help.

The CSBG funding provides educational scholarships, small business loans, employment, education, housing and emergency services to the eligible population.  The local offices can offer people in need direct services for the following programs: case management, housing assistance, emergency assistance, literacy services, homebuyer help, volunteer assistance, senior nutrition, homeless assistance, emergency food and shelter, budget and housing counseling, preschool education, tax and insurance assistance.  Field staff will refer customers to other human service agencies if direct service cannot be provided by the agency.

The CSBG Program is administered on the state level by the Illinois Deptartment of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).  The DCEO website provides more information about the State of Illinois Community Services Block Grant Program.

For further information call us at (217) 342-2193 extension 126 or contact your local C.E.F.S. County Outreach Office.

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