Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC)

The low income home energy assistance program (liheap) assist households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines with their home energy services. The percentage of income payment plan (pipp) enrollment was set at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for re-certification. The pipp program assists households with maintaining their energy bills while staying on a budget plan with their utility company. The agency also assisted households with an application for the jo carroll neighbor-to-neighbor program and with ameren and nicor gas supplemental funding, financial literacy and energy conservation tips are provided to customers at the time of application. The low income household water assistance program (lihwap) assists households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines with water and wastewater bills.

The weatherization program is funded with hhs, doe, state of Illinois and braided funding with utility contracts from nicor gas, commonwealth edison and ameren Illinois to make homes more energy efficient. Weatherization includes such measures as weather stripping, caulking, insulation, programmable and smart thermostats, comprehensive air sealing, and replacement of water heaters and refrigerators. The program also has a repair/replacement furnace component. The outcome of this program is to reduce the amount of fuel needed to heat the home and to ensure the health and safety of the residence.

Head start is a comprehensive child and family development program that provides center services for three and four year old children from famillies experiencing low-income. The program operates 17 licensed centers with 8 part-day classes, 19 extended day classes and three full day full year classes. Key components of the program are: school readiness, social and emotional development; medical and 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 is a comprehensive program that provides services to pregnant women, infant and toddlers through both center and home-based options. This is a full year program with the same service as those in the head start program.