James R. Douglas, Director
345 West State Street
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
PHONE: (217) 243-9404
Hours are: 8:30 - 12:00 1:00 - 4:30 Monday – Friday
WHAT IS CSBG?
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). MCS Community Services provides the services available through the CSBG grant. MCS is governed by the county boards of Morgan, Cass, and Scott counties. Individually the CSBG grant has a Tri-partite governing board made up of local citizens from the three county areas. The members represent three segments of the community; elected officials, private citizens, and client representatives.
The Community Services Block Grant provides a full range of services. The following are services offered by MCS Community Services:
EMERGENCY SERVICES:
This program is designed to assist low income individuals/households that are facing eviction from their residence. To qualify for this program the client needs to be behind on their rent and the landlord has to have served them a written eviction notice. The client will also be required to have some type of income (employment, social security, TANF, unemployment, etc.) to qualify for assistance. Babysitting (or some other type of working) for cash will NOT be accepted as income.
CSBG eligible clients may also be assisted with some medically needed prescriptions under the emergency services program.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
The scholarship program is offered annually. Packets are sent out in the spring to all high schools in the three county areas. Applications are also available at our office. The scholarships of $1000.00 (amounts are dependent of funding levels) are offered to income eligible individuals in each of Morgan, Cass, and Scott counties, who are planning to attend accredited Illinois University, community college, technical or vocational schools. Preference is given to applicants of racial or ethnic minorities. Eligibility is based upon the following: Must be a high school graduate or GED recipient planning initial enrollment in a Illinois post-secondary educational/vocational program: must be a resident of Morgan, Cass or Scott county: must be economically disadvantaged, according to CSGB income guidelines.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
CSBG offers a loan program to assist new businesses or expand an existing business to provide new employment for the income disadvantaged.
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT:
This program provides case management services to assist in family stability and to help move a family towards self-sufficiency. MCS has one Family and Community Development (FCD) certified caseworkers on staff. Enrollment is limited.
INCOME GUIDELINES FOR ALL PROGRAMS LISTED ABOVE
| Household Size | Previous 90-day gross income |
| 1 | $3,490 |
| 2 | $4,728 |
| 3 | $5,965 |
| 4 | $7,203 |
| 5 | $8,440 |
| 6 | $9,678 |
| 7 | $10,915 |
| 8 | $12,153 |