Kaleidoscope 2009

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Kaleidoscope

Serving People, Creating Success

A Kaleidoscope is constantly reflecting change offering an infinite variety of possibilities. This description is also appropriate to describe the office of Family Support Services. We administer myriad programs that meet the needs of families in Illinois.

Our Motto "Serving People, Creating Success" can be seen in each of the three bureaus and outreach programs, staff and grantees who provide services and administrative support to the program.

This second edition features all the possibilities of success that are available for families in crisis, and, or transition, and who seek to achieve self-sufficiency, independence and health.

The goal to serve and foster success is interwoven in each of the three bureaus comprising the Office of Family Support Services. In the Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services, success is represented by the many newly arriving refugees and immigrants who become United States citizens and achieve self-sufficiency with the assistance provided by the Bureau's programs. Homeless households and those in danger of becoming homeless have maintained their housing thanks to shelters and transitional housing, emergency food services and prevention program services available through the provider networks funded through the Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing. Federal Title XX funding supports a wide variety of services targeted to low income families, seniors, and other vulnerable populations, offering a safety net of services. The Bureau of Title XX Social Services has created an environment of success through these programs and, as a result, success for families abounds, and enhances the overall community life for these families and individuals.

Within the Office of Family Support Services you will find the colors of success highlighted in the programs that are offered to Illinois residents as confirmation of our motto "Serving People, Creating Success".

Gwendolyn Kenner-Johnson, Associate Director
Office of Family Support Services
Division of Human Capital Development

Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Human Capital Development
Office of Family Support Services
Fiscal Year 2008 Services

Bureau of Homeless Services & Supportive Housing

$43.2 million

• Emergency food and shelter
• Supportive housing
• Homeless prevention
• Emergency food program

Bureau of Refugee & Immigration Services

$10.5 million

• Refugee and immigrant citizenship initiative
• Suburban health clinics
• Outreach
• Translation
• Interpretation project

Bureau of Title XX Social Services

$16.2 million

• Crisis nurseries
• Family counseling
• Senior transportation
• Life skills for developmentally disabled
• Employment training for ex offenders
• Employment training for single mothers and low income families
• Rehabilitation for alcohol/substance abuse
• Youth development activities

Hurricane Relief

1.3 million

• Rental assistance, security deposit, utilities, household repairs/furnishings
• School supplies and tutoring
• Health care
• Evacuee vehicle repairs
• Necessary personal items.

Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing

The Bureau of Homeless Services and Supportive Housing administers programs that address the needs of homeless families and individuals by providing food, shelter and supportive services through local not-for-profit organizations. These programs ensure that people receive quality services through a "continuum of care," ranging from outreach to those in need, emergency and transitional housing and supportive services, to assistance in gaining self-sufficiency and permanent housing. The Bureau administers the following programs:

Emergency Food and Shelter

Provides immediate and comprehensive shelter services to homeless persons and persons at risk of becoming homeless. Shelter, meals and supportive services are provided through local community-based providers. Nearly 32,000 households comprised of 45,418 participants were served last year. 2,004,407 nights of shelter, 3,266,922 meals and 2,734,412 units of supportive services were provided throughout the state in 2008. SFY2008 - $9.32 Million

Supportive Housing

Provides extensive supportive services and housing to low-income individuals and families who are formerly homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Supportive services include case management, counseling, job training, child care and other services as needed. Transitional housing is provided for up to 24 months. Case Management was provided to more than 67,000 households in 2008. Approximately 5,130 households resided in supportive housing an average of 15 months during the same period. SFY2008 - $8.1 Million

Success Story

"The Supportive Housing Program has benefited me and my family in many ways. The most obvious are the changes that I have made mentally, economically, and socially. It has not always been easy. My case manager will tell you that I sometimes had to learn the hard way that my way was not always the best way to go. After a few failed attempts to get things done my way, I decided she was right!"

Homeless Prevention

Stabilizes families and individuals in their homes, shortens the time spent in shelters and assists with securing affordable housing. The program provides rent or mortgage, security deposits or utility payments to ensure that families remain housed. Households eligible for services include those that are in imminent danger of eviction, foreclosure, or homelessness, or currently homeless. Payments are made directly to a landlord, utility company or vendor providing housing services to the applicant. Of the 12,441 households served in 2008, 71% remained housed at least six months after services were provided. SFY2008 - $11 Million

"A couple relocated from Las Vegas to seek medical attention for their son who had a birth defect. While in this struggle, their apartment got flooded by a broken sewer. The couple with their three children subsequently became displaced and homeless. This family lived in their vehicle for almost close to a year as they sought assistance from agency to agency. The family was referred to our program by their parish and was admitted in October, 2007. Since their admittance in the program, the father was able to locate a job within a month, has saved over $3,000 and the son has responded well to treatment. We are proud to say that the Catholic Charities New Hope Apartments Program gave them a chance to a family again."

Emergency Food Program

Offers food commodities through a network of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to provide an emergency response to hunger. Churches, community groups, community action agencies and governmental agencies distribute nutritious USDA commodities and donated food to needy households across the state. More than 1.8 Million households benefited from emergency food during last year. SFY2008 - $2.56

Good News Story:

In 2008, the Northern Illinois Food Bank delivered 209,091 pounds of food to Pembroke via their Mobile Food Pantry and served an average of 302 households and 871 individuals monthly.

Food Stamp Outreach

Outreach activities are designed to inform households about the availability, eligibility requirements, application procedures and benefits of the Food Stamp Program. SFY2008 - $258,200

Good News Story:

This year the Chicago Board of Education has initiated a number of activities and collaborations with community organizations to increase household access to the Food Stamp Program for low-income children attending Chicago public schools. A team has been established, the Children and Family Benefits Unit (CFBU), to conduct fairs, workshops and other events. With the help of the CFBU, from October - December 2008, a total of 1,360 food stamp applications were completed and submitted on behalf of Chicago Public School families. The turnout at events has also increased awareness about other benefit programs, especially the All Kids medical program.

Food Stamp Nutrition Education

The goal of this program is to safeguard the health and well being of low income households by providing access to a healthy nutritious diet focusing on dietary quality, food security and safety, food resources management and system and environmental changes. IDHS, in partnership with the University of Illinois and LaRabida Children's Hospital, offers nutrition programs, recipes, workshops and other events to benefit Illinois households. SFY2008 - $12 Million

Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services

The Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services helps newly arriving refugees achieve self-sufficiency in the United States; provide health services to low-income immigrants; provide citizenship education and application services to resident non-citizens desiring to become United States citizens.

Refugee Program

Since 1975 Illinois has resettled more than 125,000 refugees from more than 62 countries. The Refugee Program facilitates relocation and economic self-sufficiency to people who are victims of political and religious persecution that have been granted the legal right to rebuild their lives in the United States. Due to the diverse ethnic characteristics, the Refugee Program designed a unique social service structure to provide specialized bilingual services.

The Refugee Program procures community-based services that include adjustment counseling, orientation, English as a Second Language, vocational training, job readiness, and job placement. Bilingual mental health services are provided for those refugees who experience severe trauma and require therapy. In SFY'08, 6,100 refugees were served. SFY2008 - $5.4 million

Immigrant Services

Illinois has been a pioneer in addressing the needs of immigrants without refugee or asylee status. Immigrant services include contracts with health clinics to provide bilingual health education, interpreter services and benefits for uninsured patients. The Outreach and Interpretation program coordinated by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights provides community education in 41 languages on immigrant eligibility for benefits and services and interpreter services to bridge clients and IDHS local offices. In addition, the Refugee and Immigrant Citizenship Initiative supports English as a Second Language, Civics, U.S. History instruction, and application services.

Suburban Health Clinics

The Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Services sponsors four clinics with supplemental funding to cover health care costs for uninsured and underinsured immigrants. The clinics provide services to a substantial immigrant client base of 18,000 clients each year. SFY2008 - $1.0 million

Refugee and Immigrant Citizenship Initiative (RICI)

Thirty-five agencies provide English as a Second Language, civics, and U.S. history instruction, as well as application services to more than 11,000 immigrants throughout Illinois in SFY'08. SFY2008 - $2.6 million

Outreach, Translation, and Interpretation Project

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) seeks to assure that eligible immigrants receive access to public benefit programs administered by IDHS. Thirty-three agencies provide outreach and community education in 41 languages, and are available for interpreter services during IDHS transactions. More than 52,000 persons are served each year. SFY2008 - $1.5 million

"The director of the Interfaith Refugee Youth Program visited a Somali family on New Year's Day to celebrate the fact that "B" won her school's annual poetry slam the week before winter break. She greets him holding a trophy with a tiny golden statue of a woman triumphantly lifting a wreath over her head. She excitedly tells how she survived to score a perfect thirty points in the third and final round. She beat her best friend - "who's American, by the way" - and won first place over the entire sixth grade. It is a major accomplishment for a young girl who just last year didn't speak English."

Bureau of Title XX Social Services

The Bureau of Title XX Social Services manages and monitors contracts designed to help customers achieve and maintain economic self-support and self-sufficiency; prevent or remedy neglect and abuse of children and adults; prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care; and secure referral or admission for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate. Funds are received through the Title XX Social Services Block Grant.

To accomplish the above goals, the Donated Funds Initiative (DFI) was established by the Governor and legislature in 1978 to encourage cooperative social service delivery efforts between local public/private providers and state government. Local communities must donate 25% of the program cost through matching funds or in combination with matching funds and in-kind contributions.

The Bureau of Title XX Social Services administers over 150 agreements with community based providers to provide a wide range of services. Examples of these services are employment and training, senior transportation, counseling, youth development, activities related to mental health, developmental disabilities, rehabilitation, protective services as well as nurseries for children of families in crisis.

Helping Seniors

Through the Department on Aging and the Bureau of Title XX programs are designed to foster and maintain the independence of persons over 60 years of age. Transportation assistance provides essential access to services needed by older persons to remain in their own homes. Linking services include congregate meal programs (to assure proper nutrition), medical care and shopping. Also, services such as counseling and support to older persons are provided to assist in developing strategies for coping with the losses associated with advanced aging, such as loss of spouse and friends, health impairment, income reduction and increasing dependency. During SFY2008 over 7,000 individuals over the age of 60 were served. SFY2008 - $1.1 million

"This is the story of two gentlemen who live in rural Ogle County. Both live within walking distance of each other, in a small cluster of homes on the Rock River. Gene has been coming to the center about five years, originally driving to the center for the meal program and exercise. He convinced his friend, Bill, to com along and soon, both became regulars. Both men are in their upper 80's and both lost their wives about eight years ago.

Gene's driving was a source of concern for many and his family knew that he was a danger on the roads, but he became stubborn when it was suggested that he quit driving. The Rock River Center began picking up Bill and Gene three times each week. One week to the day following Gene's death, Bill called to request transportation back to the center. Although Gene is no longer with him, our driver, walks him out of his home, onto the bus and into the center. His comment to staff is that he "can't quit". "I've got to keep going. Gene would expect that of me."

Ex-Offenders

A partnership with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Bureau of Title XX sponsors programs that help restore offenders to useful citizenship. Services provided are designed to develop and enhance social, educational, vocational and recreational skills of adult and youth ex-offenders. These programs emphasize re-socialization and successful community living. Last year, 3,500 ex-offenders received services aimed at preventing recidivism. SFY2008 - $2.9 million

Victims of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

Through a coordinated effort between the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) and the Bureau of Title XX, a system of services exists for the prevention, intervention, treatment and rehabilitation of alcohol and other drug abuse and dependencies. This system addresses the needs of at-risk or addicted individuals and their families. Community agencies deliver activities tailored to furnish individuals with substance abuse issues with supportive services to empower the abusers to reintegrate into the community and reduce or eliminate their dependency. Over 500 individuals, who did not qualify for other substance abuse treatment received services last year. SFY2008 - $1.1 Million

At-Risk Youth and Their Families

An interdepartmental collaboration with the Division of Community Health and Prevention and the Bureau of Title XX sponsors programs focused on prevention strategies in the areas of family and youth development. Prevention services are developed and targeted to maximize resources and comprehensively address the needs of at-risk populations. In 2008, over 8,000 at-risk youth and their families received prevention services aimed at eliminating future contact with the juvenile justice system. SFY2008 - $2.1 million

Wards and At-Risk Families

Wards and families in crisis receive specialized services directed toward assuring a permanent, secure and nurturing living environment for children. Services such as outpatient treatment, social adjustment and rehabilitation, parenting classes, protective intervention and adoption or guardianship are provided in a consistent, nurturing environment. Nearly 4,400 wards and families identified by DCFS received family stabilization services last year. SFY2008 - $1.5 million

Individuals with Disabilities

The Bureau of Title XX and the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) sponsors programs for persons with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices concerning employment, education, and independent living opportunities. Programs are funded to ensure provision of services to individuals who have a mental or physical disability that limits one or more major life activities. Last year, over 9,800 individuals received needed services. SFY2008 - $744,000

The Bureau of Title XX and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) also sponsors programs that provide quality, outcome-based, person-centered services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. These supports help achieve independence as much as possible. Over 8,500 persons with a developmental disability were served. SFY2008 - $3.7 million

"…staff assisted with counseling, transportation, childcare services, continuing education, obtaining housing, budgeting, advocacy, obtaining employment, and linkages/referrals to various community agencies including IDHS. T.M. and her mother both obtained full-time employment and the family was reunified. They are now sharing a 4 bedroom house. T.M. continues to work full-time, has established adequate childcare, and is attending school through Urbana Adult Ed to complete her GED." 

Assisting TANF and Troubled Families

The Division of Human Capital Development provides income through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, food stamps, medical assistance and other supportive services to clients needing temporary assistance to become self-sufficient. These programs work with county local Family and Community Resource Center offices. The Bureau of Title XX Social Services complements this effort through the provision of services to obtain, retain or improve employment. Nearly 1,456 TANF-eligible consumers received employability development services in 2008.

The Bureau of Title XX Social Services also partners with community agencies to provide services to families that are essential to prevent or remedy problems that may result in neglect, abuse or exploitation of children or to strengthen family relationships. Last year, over 11,300 persons received services designed to improve social adjustment. SFY2008 $3.0 million

"(The staff) took me places I needed to go to get things done in my life, so I can move on to bigger and better things. I still have a ways to go, but (the staff) have showed me that I can still turn things around for the better."

Crisis Nurseries

Through a partnership with five crisis nurseries, some of Illinois' most fragile families, many whom experience crisis due to violence, family dysfunction, medical emergencies or lost employment, have hope and opportunity. Care is provided in a licensed facility. The nurseries work with families who have children under six years of age by providing 24-hour crisis care and children's groups, and by providing home visits, parenting classes, parent support groups, crisis counseling, and referrals to after-care services. Last year, 1,557 individuals received crisis nursery services.

SFY2008 ($210,000 DFI and .48 GRF)

Hurricane Relief Effort

In a separate allocation, Supplemental Emergency Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funds of $1,351,677 was made available to Illinois for expenditures related to the consequences of the 2005 hurricanes of the 2005 affecting the Gulf of Mexico. These funds may be used to help meet the needs of people affected by these hurricanes according to the State's criteria and eligibility. Funds must be utilized by September 30, 2009.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Office of Family Support Services is currently operating the Illinois Katrina Assistance relief Effort (I-KARE) Program to serve hurricane evacuees. The I-KARE Program is the collaboration of state, local public services, state hired client facilitators, and community based not for profit service providers and volunteers/volunteer organizations.

Examples of assistance to evacuees include but are not limited to rental assistance, security deposit, utilities, household repairs/furnishings, school supplies, tutoring, health care, evacuee vehicle repairs, and necessary personal items.

A total of 234 households have received services in SFY 2008.

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Points of Contact

Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Human Capital Development

Marva Arnold, Director

401 S. Clinton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Office: (312) 793-0683 TTY: (312) 793-2354

100 South Grand Ave. E. 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62762
Office: (217) 785-3300 TTY: (217) 785-6041

Office of Family Support Services

Gwendolyn Kenner- Johnson, Associate Director

400 W. Lawrence, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62762
Office: (217) 785-2559

401 S. Clinton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Office: (312) 793-3610

Bureau of Refugee & Immigrant Services

Edwin Silverman, Bureau Chief

401 S. Clinton, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Office: (312) 793-7120

Bureau of Homeless Services & Supportive Housing

Brenda Hanbury, Bureau Chief

400 W. Lawrence, Hay Edwards, 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62704
Office: (217) 782-1317

Bureau of Title XX Social Services

Dianne Bradie-Gregoire, Bureau Chief

401 S. Clinton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Office: (312) 793-3610

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For more information call or visit your Illinois Department of Human Services' Family Community Resource Center. You may call the automated helpline 24 hours a day at:

1-800-843-6154 (voice) or 1-800-447-6404 (TTY)

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Programs, activities and employment opportunities in the Illinois Department of Human Services are open and accessible to any individual or group without regard to age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnic origin or religion. The department is an equal opportunity employer and practices affirmative action and reasonable accommodation programs.

Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois. (03/09)