Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation

223 South Macoupin Street
P.O. Box 88
Gillespie, IL 62033

217-839-4431
217-839-3647 Fax

The Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation (IVEDC) is a private, non-profit, equal opportunity corporation based in Gillespie with offices in Carrollton, Hardin, Hillsboro, and Jerseyville. The ultimate authority of the IVEDC is vested in its governing board, which is composed of representatives from the public, private and client sectors of its community service area. IVEDC is the designated community action agency for Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties. In addition, IVEDC administers a family planning program in Montgomery County and provides services to that county’s developmentally disabled.

Established in 1966 the IVEDC functions to provide better focusing of all available private, local, state, and federal resources toward helping low-income and other disadvantaged individuals and families obtain the skills, knowledge, motivations and the opportunities necessary to become self-sufficient.

Programs that fall under the IVEDC umbrella include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); rehabilitation programs, family planning, senior citizens services, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Head Start Program, community care services, and a weatherization program.

LIHEAP
The LIHEAP program is designed to help income eligible households meet the rising cost of home energy by providing financial assistance in the form of direct payments to the household’s energy vendor or the household.

The amount of assistance depends on: a) whether the household pays for its home energy costs directly; b) the type of fuel if the household pays the cost directly.

The emergency assistance component of LIHEAP is limited to the provision of supplemental energy assistance funds designed to help households obtain a continuous supply of home energy. Payments will be made only after a household has actually been disconnected from its energy source. The household must make a good faith effort at maintaining service or an emergency payment cannot be made on its behalf.

Service area: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin counties.

Rehabilitation
The agency’s rehabilitation programs provide a full range of services for persons 18 years or older who have a diagnosed developmental disability.

Developmental training services include rehabilitation planning assessment, and individual program planning. Employment services are provided through the sheltered workshop, where contract work is competitively bid, and individuals earn a paycheck while learning real work skills.

IVEDC rehabilitation programs are designed to teach life skills and good work habits, to develop potential and increase self-sufficiency, so that each individual may have the best possible quality of life within the least restrictive environment.

Service area: Jerseyville Center-Calhoun, Greene and Jersey counties
Macoupin Center-Macoupin, Madison and southern Montgomery counties.

Family Planning
The family planning program provides medical family planning services, counseling, and health education for families and individuals. Services include provisions for a complete physical examination and contraceptive method, compatible with the personal convictions of the individual. Referral treatment and follow up are provided for any diagnosed physical abnormality.

Service area: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Fayette, and Christian counties.

Senior Citizens-Nutritional/Transportation/Recreation
The Senior Citizens programs service area senior citizens 60 years and older. Meal sites prepare and serve meals to senior citizens in a congregate setting and deliver meals to area seniors who are unable get to a meal site.

Meals are provided at a suggested donation rate. If a participant is unable to donate at the suggested rate, they can give as they see fit. Additional activities at the meal sites are designed to keep seniors active and involved.

Transportation is available to senior citizens if they are unable to operate a vehicle or do not have a vehicle to use. The main purpose of the transportation program is to transport seniors to meal sites, but transportation for medical and shopping needs are also provided whenever possible. The service is provided at a suggested donation rate.

Service area: Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin counties; centers in Palmyra, Carlinville, Benld, Grafton, Jerseyville, Carrollton and Virden.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The CSBG program is designed to provide service and activities which will have a measurable and possibly major impact for economically disadvantaged individuals and families.

The program offers information, referral, and assistance in securing services from a wide range of social, economic, health and welfare programs available to the low-income, elderly and other disadvantaged individuals and families.

The agency is also concerned with all aspects regarding adequate, economical housing for the working poor and disabled population.

A Family and Community Development Program (FCD) provides case management services and financial resources to families in attaining self-sufficiency. FCD staff also provide job search assistance.

CSBG also provides loans to new and expanding businesses in an effort to create employment for low-income individuals.

Scholarships are also awarded to individuals attending four-year state colleges or universities. Emphasis is placed on those who are not recent high school graduates, but wish to further their education.

The Supportive Housing Program- Transitional Housing is a grant program of Housing and Urban Development operated by IVEDC in conjunction with the CSBG. The program provides adequate and affordable transitional housing to homeless families and individuals.

Service area: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin counties.

Head Start
The Head Start Program is a comprehensive child development program for economically disadvantaged pre-school age (3-5 years) children. It also serves disabled children.

Services are provided through either a center-based or home-based model, depending on the service area. As part of the health services of the Head Start program, all enrolled children receive medical and dental examinations and necessary follow-up, as well as nutrition services. Parent and community involvement, as well as collaborative efforts, are an important aspect of the project and are accomplished through the establishment of Parent Committees and Policy Council.

Service area: Macoupin, Greene, Jersey and Calhoun counties.

Community Care Services
The IVEDC Community Care Program provides in-home services to clients age 60 and over. These services offer the senior citizen the opportunity to remain in his or her own home as an alternative to inappropriate or premature institutionalization.

The IVEDC Homemaker Program provides clients with general non-medical support and personal care services by workers who have received specialized training. Services include: assistance with self-administered medication, assisting with bathing, dressing, shaving, as well as assisting with daily living chores such as light housekeeping, laundry, shopping, etc… No nursing or health care services are provided.

Eligibility for the IVEDC Community Care Program is based on need and income, considering such things as: physical condition, mobility, and accessibility or friends and/or relatives. Charges are on a sliding fee scale.

Service area: Macoupin, Greene, and Jersey counties.

Weatherization
The Weatherization Program is designed to help low-income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes.

Repairs are completed by qualified contractors employed by the agency. There is no charge to participants for material or labor. Renters may also be assisted if they are eligible and if the landlord agrees to the program terms. Depending on the circumstances and conditions of a dwelling, some of the following weatherization work may be done: sealing cracks with weather strip and caulk, insulating attics and walls, repairing windows and doors.

Weatherization services also include servicing the home’s heating system by and experienced contractor to make sure it is safe and in good working order. Health and safety measures include installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Service area: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin counties.