Community Services

Director:  Dara Worthington

dworthington@co.menard.il.us

Office Information

Office:

Phone: 

(217) 632-4412

(217) 632-3714 (Fax)

Hours:

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST

Monday - Friday

Community Services

Menard County Community Service delivers food pantry referrals to all county food pantries and provides shelter and utility assistance to Menard County residents who do not qualify for any other categorical assistance.  Grant funds are provided through Menard County United Fund, Inc., the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Salvation Army and Friend in Need.  Documentation of household members, the last 30 day income and need are required.

Menard County workNet, which delivers the Workforce Investment Act, is housed in this office with a Workforce Specialist on Thursdays and Fridays of each week.  Residents have access to use of computers for their individualized job search and resume preparation.  Use of the office copy and fax machines is offered as well as the telephone.

FEMA Emergency Food & Shelter Program: Local Board Members

Members include:  Merle Kirby, Jeff Fore, Barb Kyes, Bob Lott, Ed Whitcomb, Jr., Hal Ziebell, Meggann Bell (Vice-Chair), Dana Blair, Rev. David Daniels, Tony Cameron and Dara Worthington (Chair).

General Assistance

General assistance is a county issued welfare that is provided to eligible Menard County residents.  In order to qualify, individuals must be single or married with no children, and meet income and asset eligibility guidelines.  Individuals apply by completing an application and providing substantiating documentation.  Upon receipt of a completed application, a Notice of Decision is mailed to the applicant within 30 days.  Once eligibility is established and necessary paperwork is completed, basic needs are provided for through a voucher system.  Basic needs consists of food, shelter, gas, electric, LP, water, clothing, cleaning and personal care items.  Benefits may include pre-approved medical care or emergency care that is reimbursed at the Illinois Department of Public Aid rates.

Each work capable individual is given an assignment which consists of a monthly mandatory work search where a job search must be documented.  Individuals are exempted from this only if they have submitted an application to the Social Security Administration for the purpose of disability determination.

The maximum monthly benefit for a General Assistance recipient has been set at $200.00.  Eligibility must be re-established monthly in the form of a regular appointment wherein regular disbursement vouchers may be given out.

Senior Transportation

Menard County Senior Transportation was established in 1978 and is for residents of the county who are 60 years of age and older.  Funding is received through the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland, Inc., Menard County United Fund and rider donations.

Currently, transportation is available on a regular schedule five days per week and by special appointment on weekends as drivers are available.

Our Medical Transport schedule is as follows:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday - The Medical Van is available for Springfield appointments by 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday and Thursday - The Medical Van is available for Petersburg or Springfield appointments at 9:00 a.m.

 

Appointments may be made by calling our offices at 632-4412 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Wednesdays have been designated as the "Shopping Day."  Reservations for pick-up may be made by also calling the office at 632-4412.  Our driver will provide transportation for your grocery shopping, banking, hair appointments, post office visits, etc.

Athens, Greenview, Oakford and Tallula each have dispatchers who are available to assist you with scheduling your transportation.  Additionally, Athens, Oakford and Tallula each have designated days each month whereby special trips are planned.  Please contact our dispatchers in the necessary location:

Athens - Lois Peterson - 636-8546

Greenview - Sharon Davis - 968-5323

Oakford - Lucille Lutes - 635-5755

Petersburg - Transportation Office - 632-4412

Tallula - Frances Trenary - 634-4446

Each trip will have a suggested donation.  Please feel free to ask our driver for this amount.  Our drivers are First Aid and CPR trained.  They are:  Don Brown, Gerald Nissen, Milo Todd and James Zimmerman.  We currently have an inventory of three vans of which two are capable of transporting one and two wheelchair passengers, respectively.