COVID-19 Resources

Everyone in McLean County has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re here to coordinate and offer resources. We’re in this together — for each family, for us all.

While the situation is constantly evolving and new resources are announced daily, we have collected some key places to turn for answers.

Stay up to date with official Health Department news by visiting this page. (Resources also available in Spanish.)

United Way’s 211 Help Center (operated by PATH) is prepared for increased call volume due to the pandemic. If you need services such as food, counseling, and assistance, dial 211 to be connected to a real person who can guide you to the resources available to you. If your phone does not connect with 211, please use the toll-free number: 888-865-9903.

Many local agencies have come together to collect information at bnprepared.org. They provide links to Childcare & Meals, Utilities, and Government Resources.

A community member has also collected information about local agencies’ offerings.

Visit PATH (Providing Access to Help) online or call 2-1-1.

McLean County Center for Human Services Crisis Team

Center for Youth and Family Solutions

QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Suicide Prevention Training – sponsored by Illinois State University

Children’s Home & Aid Youth Services – Butterfly Project (for children/families exposed to violence) and Crisis Nursery– call 309-827-0374

Need help with your rent, mortgage or utility bills due to a COVID-19 related loss of income or crisis? You are not alone. There is financial assistance available to help you pay one to three months of your rent, mortgage, or utility bills. Almost all income levels who have (1) lost income due to COVID-19 and (2) are behind in their rent, mortgage, or utility bills may qualify. There is assistance from multiple sources to help citizens, legal permanent residents, and undocumented people. If you need help, please start the application process by calling PATH at 211. For more information, visit the following links:

Normal Township

Bloomington City Township

Mid-Central Community Action

IHDA rental assistance program (up to $25K in rental assistance)

Immigration Project

Children’s Home & Aid – 309-827-0374

Emerging From COVID Town Hall: Housing Assistance – Review the call notes here and watch the replay here.

Summer ’21 Learning Opportunities

Rewatch our Town Hall series about Connecting Kids and Families to Summer Learning Opportunities – Part 1 and Part 2

A-Z for Students of All Ages

• BCAI Arts
• Bloomington Parks and Recreation – 309-434-2260
  • Miller Park Zoo
  • Bloomington Ice Center
• Bloomington Public Library
  • Program Information
• Children Discovery Museum – 309-433-3449, or Email: Rachel Carpenter, rcarpenter@normal.org
  • Program Information
• Eastview Community Center (Bloomington)
  • Single Moms Group – 1st and 3rd Sundays. Register online or email info@eastviewcommunitycenter.com.
  • Wednesday Community Nights – unstructured gatherings from June 1 to August 5
    
• Heartland Community College Youth Program– 309-268-8160
  • Program Information
• McLean County Museum of History (& MUSE 2 U online resources)
  • Visiting the museum is free for all students; open until 8pm
• Normal Parks and Recreation – 309-454-9540
  • Program Information
• Normal Public Library
  • Program Information
• PATH – Summer Activities and Summer Food Resources – call 211, text TXT211
• Unity Community Center
  • Summer Enrichment Workshops
  • I-Pollinate with 4-H Program
  • For more information, or to request At-Home Kits, contact laurarh3@illinois.edu
• University Galleries – 309-438-5487
  • Program Information
  • Educational Resources
• Western Avenue Community Center – Mike Jones at Mjones@westernavenuecc.org or 309-829-4807
  
  • Programming June 14-August 7 for ages 13-19, including gaming, arts/crafts, outdoor activities, trips, and a 16-team basketball league

For general information, visit the following links.

Local school districts have been working tirelessly to provide learning tools and distribute food to kids while schools are closed. Please visit your local school district’s website to learn more.

Bloomington-Normal

• District 87
• Unit 5
• Illinois State University

• El Paso Gridley
• Heyworth CUSD 4
• LeRoy
  
• Olympia CUSD 16
• Ridgeview CUSD #19
• Tri-Valley CUSD #3

Community School Coordinators

• Fairview: kinseyrl@unit5.org
• Cedar Ridge: rodgerc@unit5.org

Promise Council also has behavioral health resources for kids K-12.

• Behavioral Health Referral Form
• Behavioral Health Services Partnerships

Other Youth Resources

• The Baby Fold’s Healthy Start Program: email lbeavers@thebabyfold.org or call 309-530-1553.
• Center on the Developing Child
• BN Parents for resources on keeping teens free of alcohol and  drugs (plus updates via their Facebook page)
• Always Unstoppable (exploring kids’ “superpowers”)
• Abuela Vellella’s Yellow Umbrella (Facebook group led by a retired special ed teacher)

Local

• ABC Counseling – contact Melissa@abccounseling.org for educational sessions
• Chestnut Health Systems
• INtegRIty Counseling
• Children’s Home & Aid Youth Services – 309-827-0374
• Watch our “Coping With COVID” Town Hall series at the bottom of this page

Teens

• Tips to Help Teens Cope During COVID-19
• Early Warning Signs of Teen Substance Use
  
• Meditation/Stress Relief

We recommend connecting with both the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and the McLean County Small Business Development Center to help you navigate the resources available to you. The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council has also collected COVID-19-specific employer and employee resources, viewable here.

The Immigration Project has compiled a list of local resources and can provide additional answers. This list offers nationwide resources.

Unit 5’s Bilingual Parent Liaison can be reached at diazm@unit5.org.

Unemployment insurance is a state-operated insurance program designed to partially replace lost wages when you are out of work. IDES recently adopted emergency rules to make unemployment insurance as responsive as possible. Click here to learn more.

Unsure if you qualify? The Chicago Sun-Times has published an overview of the new unemployment insurance rules.

Individuals living in zip codes 61701 and 61704 who are experiencing low or no income at this time may be eligible for assistance from the City of Bloomington Township. The township provides general and emergency assistance for essential services like rent and other utilities. Call 309-828-2356 or visit here for more information.

If you have not already filed your taxes, the filing date has been extended to July 15, 2020. However, you may want to file sooner if you are eligible for a tax refund. Simple tax returns can be filed for free at MyFreeTaxes.com.

Some creditors have hardship plans to account for when you are going through an emergency. Reach out to your credit card issuer, auto loan provider, or mortgage company to see what options are available to you.

Save money on prescription medications. FamilyWize is a free prescription discount program offered in partnership with United Way. It is accepted at pharmacies nationwide, including major chains and independents. FamilyWize has partnered with these pharmacies to provide you with the lowest possible price on your prescription drugs. Visit their website for full details.

If you are calling in instead of visiting the pharmacy, the FamilyWize discount can still be applied! Use the following information:

BIN: 610194

Card ID: FW100

Group ID: FW100

PCN: FW