CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF JOLIET

COMMUNITY SERVICES - THE AGENCY OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS THROUGH ITS COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION INCLUDING: OPERATING TWO EMERGENCY SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS; OPERATING FIVE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE AND THREE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; MANAGING HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION, RAPID-REHOUSING, AND SHELTER DIVERSION PROGRAMS; AND PROVIDING EMERGENCY SERVICES ASSISTANCE WITH THE GOAL OF CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES TO MEET THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS. OTHER UNIQUE SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICES INCLUDE "OUT OF POVERTY" CLASSES WHICH EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS ON STRATEGIES FOR MAKING PRODUCTIVE LIFE CHOICES THAT WILL AID IN REACHING THE GOAL OF REACHING SELF-SUFFICIENCY, MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES, ANNUAL BACK-TO-SCHOOL FAIRS, AND THE PROVISION OF A DAILY LUNCHTIME MEAL TO ANY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AT NO CHARGE THROUGH ITS SHEPHERD'S TABLE PROGRAM.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES DIVISION - EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES DIVISION - THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES FEDERALLY FUNDED HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND WRAP-AROUND CHILDCARE SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE LOW INCOME CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES EACH YEAR. THE HEAD START PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN 3 TO 5 YEARS OLD IN A CENTER BASED SETTING. THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM PROVIDES TO EXPECTANT MOTHERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE EARLY HEAD START OFFERS EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 3 YEARS OLD IN BOTH A CENTER BASED AND HOMEBASED SETTING. TEACHERS ASSESS EACH CHILD'S DAILY FUNCTIONING TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILD IS HITTING THE APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. WHEN NEEDED, CHILDREN ARE LINKED TO SPECIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MORE DETAILED ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INCLUDING HEARING, VISION AND DENTAL SCREENINGS. FAMILIES OF THE CHILDREN RECEIVE A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO EMPOWER THEM IN HELPING THEIR CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND A WIDE RANGE OF TRAINING PROGRAMS OFFERED ON TOPICS FROM SELF-ADVOCACY, PARENT SKILLS, CHILD NUTRITION AND DEVELOPMENT. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO THOSE CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. SERVICES ARE ALSO PROVIDED UNDER THE DOULA PROGRAM WHICH OFFERS EXPECTANT TEEN MOTHERS SUPPORT DURING LABOR & DELIVERY AS WELL AS POST PARTUM VISITS FOR 6-8 WEEKS. THE PREVENTION INITIATIVE PROGRAM IS A STATE FUNDED PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SERVICES TO EXPECTING PARENTS AND CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 3. EXPECTANT MOTHERS CAN RECEIVE DOULA SERVICES AND THE CHILDREN ARE SERVED IN BOTH A CENTER BASED AND HOMEBASED SETTING.