Senior Community Service Employment Program
This program fosters and promotes part-time community service opportunities that contribute to the general welfare of the community. Anyone who is at least 55 years of age, has a low income and is capable of performing the tasks involved in the proposed assignment is eligible to enroll in the program.
Enrollees receive job-related training designed to assist them in finding permanent unsubsidized employment. Training may consist of upgrading existing skills, development of new skills, educational opportunities, counseling and assistance in finding and keeping a job to help improve their lives.
For informattion regarding training and assistance for older Illinoisans, contact the Northerwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA) at 815-226-4901, or call the BCCA at 815-544-9893.
55 ALIVE Driver's Safety Course
A two-day, 55 ALIVE Drivers Safety Course is offered at the Boone County Council on Aging, at various times throughout the year. Both days must be completed to receive certification. The cost of the course is $10.00 per person, payable to AARP. Pay the fee the day of class to the instructor, pre-registration is required.
Anyone over 50 years of age may take the course, and if your are over 55, Illinois law may require your auto insurance company to reduce the liability premium you pay for three years after you have completed the course. Please call the BCCA at 815-544-9893 for more information on this excellent program, class schedules or to pre-register.
Secretary of State Rules of the Road Review Course
The Rules of the Road Review Course is designed to give drivers the knowledge and confidence needed to pass a driver's license renewal exam.
BCCA sponsors the course under the direction of Secretary of State Jesse White's office. This free class is offered as several times a year. If you have any questions concerning this program, contact the Secretary of State's toll free hotline at 1-800-252-2904 or the Boone County Council on Aging at 815-544-9893 for class schedules.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Administered by DCCA, this program help slow-income individuals pay heating and cooling bills. The amount of the payment is determined by income, household size, fuel type and geographic location. Income eligibility guidelines are based on the federal poverty level. If you rent and your heat and/or electric is included in the rent, then your rent must be greater than 30% of your income in order to be eligible. To find out how to apply, contact the BCCA at 815-544-9893, and ask for the Outreach Staff.
Carrier Alert!
Carrier Alert is a cooperative community service program to monitor the well- being of elderly and disabled mail patrons.
Delivering mail to the same residences day after day, letter carriers become familiar with customers' habits and often notice changes in routine that mean a patron is in distress. Accumulating mail is a common clue, but lights burning in midday, pet dogs crying, drawn draperies, or no tracks in the snow--all can signal trouble within.
Carrier Alert programs, train employees who work in residential neighborhoods on a regular basis (reading gas, electric and water meters, collecting refuse or delivering mail) to check on frail elderly and disabled residents, and to request an investigation by the appropriate authorities if an elderly or disabled individual’s normal routines are suddenly changed, e.g., when a person's mail is not picked up on a regular basis.
When a volunteer carrier notes something unusual concerning a patron registered with Carrier Alert, he or she reports it to a postal supervisor or other designated individual who in turn contacts the sponsoring local agency. They check on the person and if something's wrong, contact family, police or emergency services as appropriate.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
People who are living alone, and are homebound or have limited mobility due to age or disability.
HOW TO APPLY:
Contact the Boone County Council on Aging at 815-544-9893 and ask for information on the Carrier Alert program, or call your local Post Office to find out if they participate in a Carrier Alert program.
To find out if there is a Carrier Alert program operating in your neighborhood or the community where an elderly or homebound loved one lives, contact the local post office.
Housing Assistance
The BCCA Outreach Staff can provide information on affordable housing options for older adults, and acts as a resource and clearinghouse for the Illinois Housing Development Authority for affordable housing informtion for both persons seeking housing and developers of affordable housing.
Legal Assistance
Legal assistance providers advocate for and represent older clients in civil cases, particularly those that involve elder abuse and neglect, financial exploitation, consumer fraud, landlord/tenant relationships, nursing facility resident rights and public benefit programs. They also help with simple estate planning and preparation of living wills and durable power of attorney forms, conduct research and educate seniors about their legal rights. For more details,contact Prairie State Legal Services at (815) 965-2902 or (800) 892-2985.
For more information about these and other programs, please contact an Outreach Worker at
Boone County Council on Aging
"The Keen Age Center"
2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere
815-544-9893 (Voice & TDD)