Education
Four Rivers Special Education District
Type of Service: Developmental Screenings
What they do: Screenings to assess a child’s overall development and address concerns that a parent may have.
Who is eligible? Children ages 2.5 through 5 years old residing within the Four Rivers 19 school districts
Referral needed: No
Best way to access services: Call office
Address: 936 W. Michigan Ave., Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone number: 217-245-7174
Lincoln’s Challenge Academy
Type of service: Education and training
What they do: Two-phase (17 month) program to help youth finish school, gain life skills and make a plan for their future
Who is eligible? Ages 16-18, Illinois resident, drug-free (at the start of the class), no pending court cases or adult convictions
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Call for information
Address: 212 Borman Drive., Rantoul, IL
Phone: (217) 761-1314
Website: http://www.lincolnschallenge.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnsChallenge/
Early Years
Type of service: Free supportive services, home visiting program, and Early Childhood Education
What they do: Parent education, parent support, prenatal support, developmental screenings, and preschool education for free through Jacksonville School District #117.
Who is eligible? Families must reside within Jacksonville School District #117’s boundaries. Eligible are: prenatal support for expecting parents as well as parent education and family resources for parents of children ages 0-5.
Must complete screening and intake to be eligible for any openings. Program prioritizes at-risk children and families, but all families within Jacksonville School District #117’s boundaries should apply for eligibility. There is no enrollment deadline.
Referral needed? Referrals are accepted, but they are not required
Best way to access services: Call our office, walk-in, or visit our website to contact our program about your interest.
Address: 516 Jordan Street in Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone: 217-243-2876
Lincoln Land Community College – Dual Credit
Type of service: Education
What they do: Dual Credit (college while in high school), First Semester Experience
Who is eligible? High School Students. Take a placement test and/or are academically eligible.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Ask your high school guidance counselor.
Address: 32 S. Central Park, Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone number: 217-243-6699
Contact person: Keri Mason email: Keri.Mason@llcc.edu
Website: http://www.llcc.edu/community-education/youth-programs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnLandCommunityCollege
Four Rivers Special Education District
Type of Service: Special Education
What they do: Serve children from ages 3 to 21 years old in nineteen districts and their surrounding communities. These communities are located in Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Green, Macoupin, Morgan, Pike, and Scott counties.
Who is eligible? Anyone residing within the Four Rivers 19 school districts
Referral needed: No
Best way to access services: Call office
Address: 936 W. Michigan Ave., Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone number: 217-245-7174
Job Corps
Type of service: Education and Career Training
What they do: Job training, academic completion
Who is eligible? Youth ages 16-24, legal US resident, or lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, meets low income criteria, needs technical training or assistance to finish school or find a job, parent/guardian consent (if minor), does not have behavioral problems, not on court supervision (probation), free from illegal drug use.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: call and speak to an operator or fill out this application to get started: https://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/Form/StudentApplication
Phone number: 800-733-JOBS
Website: www.jobcorps.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DOLjobcorps/
Four Rivers Early Childhood Special Education
Type of Service: Early Childhood Special Education
What they do: Provide specific learning activities for children within a developmentally appropriate framework. Due to the developmental level of the children, activities use play-like materials while also using different teaching strategies to build upon the child’s individual strengths and to improve areas of weakness. Instruction takes place within a small group or whole class setting, and lessons are designed to address children’s individual needs.
Who is eligible? Anyone residing within the Four Rivers 19 school districts
Referral needed? Yes
Best way to access services: Call office
Address: 936 W. Michigan Ave., Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone number: 217-245-7174
Lincoln Land Community College – Youth Programs
Type of service: Education
What they do: College for Kids, ACT/Prep, Youth Culinary Classes
Who is eligible? Depends on the program/class
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Apply online for preferred program, or call the office
Address: 32 S. Central Park, Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone number: 217-786-4905
Contact person: Jessica Ingold
email: Jessica.Ingold@llcc.edu
Website: http://www.llcc.edu/community-education/youth-programs/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnLandCommunityCollege
Lincoln Land Community College – Adult Education
Type of service: Adult Education
What they do: GED Prep, Adult Basic Education, ESL, Adult Career Pathways, Literacy Tutoring, Citizenship Preparation
Who is eligible? Open to all.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Call Pat Gallagher (See contact info below)
Address: 32 S. Central Park, Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone number: 217-786-2359
Contact person: Sue Alexander sue.alexander@llcc.edu
Website: http://www.llcc.edu/career-training/adult-education/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnLandCommunityCollege
Lincoln Land Community College – Community Education
Type of service: Education
What they do: Wide variety of classes ranging from general interests to academic, do not lead to degree or certificate
Who is eligible? High School Students. Open to all
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Must fill out free “Community Education Worksheet” on the website
Address: 32 S. Central Park, Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone number: 217-786-2430
Contact person: Laurel Bretz
Email: Laurel.Bretz@llcc.edu
Website: http://www.llcc.edu/community-education/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnLandCommunityCollege
Lincoln Land Community College – Degree Programs
Lincoln Land Community College – Degree Programs
Type of service: Post-Secondary Education
What they do: Associate’s Degree of Art and Science
Who is eligible? Open to all. Anyone residing in district gets a reduced “in-district” rate. Anyone can take classes. Must have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for financial aid.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Must fill out free “Admission Worksheet” on the website.
Address: 32 S. Central Park, Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Phone number: 217-243-6699
Contact person: Lori Oldenettel email: Lori.oldenettel@llcc.edu
Website: http://www.llcc.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnLandCommunityCollege
General Resources & Support
Community Child Care Connection
Type of service: Childcare Resource and Referral
What they do: Assist families and child care providers in obtaining education, and quality, affordable childcare to help children and families reach their greatest potential. Administer the childcare assistance program and have a team of consultants that work directly with childcare providers to ensure children are receiving quality care in healthy learning environments.
Who is eligible? Open to those who meet income requirements – at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Online/email/over phone
Address: 901 South Spring Street, Suite B, Springfield IL 62704
Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone number: 217-525-2805 or 1-800-676-2805
Email: info@4childcare.org
Website: www.4childcare.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCCC.SDA13
Prairieland United Way Helpline
Type of service: Non-emergency Help
What they do: Direct people in emergency situations to appropriate serving agencies
Who is eligible? Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott County residents
Referral needed? Not needed
Best way to access services: 217-479-1818
Four Rivers Special Education District
Type of service: Audiology
What they do: The Four Rivers Special Education District contracts with IL School for the Deaf for audiology. ISD maintains a fully-equipped audiologic suite and employs a state licensed audiologist. Children who are referred by parent or school district personnel are seen at this facility on an appointment basis. Services include measurement of hearing levels, middle ear function assessments (tympanometry), hearing aid checks, and referrals for specialized hearing aid needs. Consultations with special or regular education teachers occur on a case-by-case basis.
Who is eligible? The program serves children ages 3 to 22 years of age residing in the Four Rivers cooperative area.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Call office.
Address: 936 W. Michigan Ave., Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Phone number: 217-245-7174
DCFS Day Care Information
Type of service: Information
What they do: Provide information about licensed daycares
Who is eligible? Information available to all
Community Connection Point
Type of service: Childcare Resource and Referral
What they do: Assist families and child care providers in obtaining education, and quality, adorable child care to help children and families reach their greatest potential
Who is eligible? Open to those who meet income requirements – at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Online/in person/over phone
Address: 901 South Spring Street, Suite B, Springfield, IL 62704
Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Phone number: 217-525-2805 or 1-800-676-2805
Email: info@childcare.org
Find Food IL – Community Food Map
Use the Find Food IL map to find places in your community offering free food or meals. You can also find stores and markets that accept SNAP/LINK or WIC coupons. Plus, see the DHS or WIC office nearest to you. Enter your zip code or city to get started. Click on the blue map icon to see all of the locations in your area in a list. Use the resource type buttons to narrow your search to certain types of food resources. The locations and hours of operation for the resources listed on this map are subject to change without advance notice. Please call ahead to verify the days and hours of operation.
http://https://eat-move-save.extension.illinois.edu/#find-food-il
Special Needs
Child and Family Connections
Type of service: Disability Services
What they do: Early Intervention (ages 0-3 years)
Referral needed? Yes. Referrals accepted from Health Department, Doctor’s Offices, Parents, Teachers, and Early Years.
Best way to access services: Call
Address: 125 S. Webster Ave., Jacksonville
Phone number: 217-245-8755
District 117 Special Services and Early Intervention – Clay Court
Type of service: Disability Services
What they do: Speech therapy, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy – provided at the child’s school, wherever it is (even if it is a special school in another city)
Who is eligible? Ages 0-18. Must reside within district 117. Complete evaluation/testing through social worker/psychologist in order to qualify for services.
Referral needed? No
Best way to access services: Call
Address: 3 W. Central Park Plaza, Jacksonville
Hours of operation: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Phone number: 217-243-7402
Classes & Support Groups
Jacksonville Public Library Lapsit (ages 0-5 years old – every Friday at 10:15)
Miss Polly’s Music Class (ages 0-5 years old)
Miss Mallory’s Art and Sensory Class (ages 6 months – 9 years old)
MomLife (Christian fellowship group for mothers of children under age 5)
Our Saviour Moms Group (Friendship, support, and prayer for mothers of children of all ages)
Breastfeeding Support Group (for all breastfeeding mothers and babies of any age)