Social Services

A program that works to reduce caseloads at Bloomington-Normal emergency rooms and the McLean County jail has seen significant growth in the last two years. It's the Frequent User System Engagement, or FUSE program.

The annual campaign fell close to $180,000 short of its target and left the social service agency pondering whether it will need to reduce services at the Safe Harbor shelter unless additional funding comes in.

The pause in funding comes about a week after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it was freezing child care funds in Minnesota, and asking for an audit of day care centers amid allegations of fraud by day care centers run by Somali residents.

McLean County Board chair Elizabeth Johnston said the priorities in next year’s $144.5 million budget approved this week remain similar to the current year spending plan.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is urging the public to call Republican lawmakers to protest proposed cuts to food aid and health insurance programs for lower income people.

A nonprofit that serves housing insecure youth and young people with family instability has opened a new Youth Education and Support Center on Bloomington’s west side.

A food distribution that serves hundreds of Bloomington-Normal residents each month is ending.

The Salvation Army of Bloomington announced its Red Kettle Campaign raised $692,249, surpassing its target by more than $20,000.

The state of Illinois is rolling out a new app to help parents of abused and neglected children communicate with their Department of Children and Family services caseworkers and with other service providers.

Young adults are different from older adults. So are 18- to 25-year-olds who have committed crimes. Over the last five years, the court services division in McLean County has tried to build capacity to address the specific needs of that age cohort.