Tuesday January 06 2009

Resources for Workers and Employment Seekers

Community Resources and Local Links

Basic Family Budget Calculator ­– provided by the Economic Policy Institute, the Basic Family Budget Calculator helps to calculate a budget based on the number of parents and children in a household as well as factoring in transportation, the general geographic location, and other necessities. 

Child Care Resource and Referral – affiliated with John A. Logan Community College, CC&R works with families, providers and communities to improve the quality of child care.  This site provides information to reach counselors and staff to assist with parenting questions and concerns. 

Division of Continuing Education – part of Academic Affairs at SIUC, the Division of Continuing Education provides alternative educational opportunities residents of Illinois and the region. 

Earned Income Tax Credit – this IRS site provides resources and tools that provide credit or dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed.

Financial Assistance for Children and Families - this site provides links and phone numbers to various toll free support helplines and explains the programs offered by the government and local organizations to assist financially disadvantaged people and families.  It also provides scholarship links.  The site includes the Earned Income Tax Credit, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, the Link Card and many others.

Illinois Head Start – this site offers basic information as well as links to locate regional Head Start programs by zip code.

Illinois Migrant Council - a non-profit organization which promotes employment, education, and other opportunities to migrant and seasonal farm workers.  This page provides additional information for council locations, farm workers, services, and contacts. 

Kentucky Educational Television - provides distance education tools to get a GED.

Life by Design Northwest – based in Portland, Oregon, this program helps employers support their employees as they age and prepare for the next phase of life. 

Literacy Link – Public broadcasting resources providing assistance to adults to help build general education and workplace skills.

MAN-TRA-CON Corporation – provides services for both businesses and job seekers. MAN-TRA-CON provides assistance with career assessment, resume building, and interview preparation skills.

Office of Economical and Regional Development – affiliated with SIUC, the Office of Economical and Regional Development provides technical assistance for economic, community and regional development in southern Illinois

Regional Economic Development Corporation - promotes economic growth and industrial development in southern Illinois.  Here is an extensive list of links to governmental department and agency pages.

Small Business Development Center ­- affiliated with SIUC, and provides links to business services to provide business plan development, loan structuring, financing opportunities, general business issues, marketing, sale strategies, and more.

Southern Illinois Workforce Investment Board – hosts information and access to workforce development programs for citizens and employers in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, and Williamson Counties.

State of Illinois Toll Free Numbers - an extensive list of toll free numbers to Services including Human Services, Energy Assistance, Medicare/Medicaid, and Citizens Assistance.

Waging a Living- The website for POV’s documentary film, Waging a Living.  Offers additional resources which are available for download, including a discussion guide and a white paper on opportunities for action.

Women’s Services- affiliated with SIUC, Women’s Services offers assistance to women in the university and community on issues about sexual assault, single parenting, child care, financial assistance, and transitions.

National Links
Children’s Defense Fund – http://www. childrensdefense.org
Economic Policy Institute – http://www.epinet.org
Joint Center for Poverty Research – http://www.jcpr.org
United Nations – http://www.unesco.org
U.S. Census – http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html