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.
McLean County Health Department
Stay up to date with official Health Department news by visiting this page. (Resources also available in Spanish.)
Call 211
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.
Community Information
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.
Crisis Resources
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
Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance
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:
IHDA rental assistance program (up to $25K in rental assistance)
Children’s Home & Aid – 309-827-0374
Emerging From COVID Town Hall: Housing Assistance – Review the call notes here and watch the replay here.
For Families with Children (Parents & Caregivers)
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
- Bloomington Public Library
- Children Discovery Museum – 309-433-3449, or Email: Rachel Carpenter, rcarpenter@normal.org
- 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
- 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
- Normal Public Library
- 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
- 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
McLean County
Community School Coordinators
- Fairview: kinseyrl@unit5.org
- Cedar Ridge: rodgerc@unit5.org
Promise Council also has behavioral health resources for kids K-12.
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)
Mental Health Support and Educational Resources
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
National
- Mental Health America
- Taking Care of Your Mental Health during the Covid-19 Pandemic (Published by Between Sessions)
- CDC Mental Health
- Find a Therapist
Teens
For Small Businesses
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.
For Undocumented and Immigrant Populations
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
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.
Emergency Relief Funds
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.
Tax Filing
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.
Contact Creditors
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.
Access your FamilyWize Prescription Discount
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
McLean County COVID-19 Mutual Aid Team
A mutual aid team of volunteers is willing to assist in any errand runs to grocery stores, pharmacies, or other stores for elderly or at-risk individuals with no other means of support. You are expected to pay for your items, but there is no additional charge for the service. Contact the group at 309-839-9496.
Page last updated June 2021
“Coping During COVID” Mental Health Series
In December 2020, the United Way COVID Community Taskforce hosted a three-part Town Hall-style series: “Coping During COVID”.
Based on feedback from community leaders and organizations, the mental health concerns among our youth, students, and families are both concerning and growing. That’s why we brought together community resources in this free series of video calls with local experts to have crucial conversations and take coordinated action for the well-being of us all.
Watch the replays below.
• Session 1: What’s going on for our youth and families?
• Session 2: Resources and solutions for youth and students.
• Session 3: Resources and solutions for adults, parents, and caregivers