Resources for Macon County Families

Full service dental care for children ages 3 and up.

Open Tuesdays 12:00 PM-3:00 PM

Summer reading program. Visit the website for hours of operation.

Lapsits: Parents and children interact with each other around a theme, including books and activities. The focus is on parent-child interaction and literacy. Lapsits are free and are held in public libraries and schools. Call or check the website for locations and times.

Baby Talk Times: Small parent-child groups are held for families with children birth to three to share parent questions and concerns, to celebrate babies’ achievements, and to have fun with books, toys, songs, and fingerplays. Call or check the website for locations and times for this free program.

Community Based Family Support: Parents receive encouragement and support in raising their children through personalized family visits, developmental screenings, parent-child groups and developmental information.

Early childhood education programs are provided for children prenatally to age 3. Programs include comprehensive center-based or home visiting services, parent education and socialization opportunities for families residing in Macon County. Like us on Facebook at Baby TALK Early Head Start.

Clothing of all kinds and sizes, household items and furniture. Hours available: Monday-Saturday 9:00AM-3:00 PM.

Bright Start provides research based information, support and encouragement to families with children birth to 5 years in Macon County. Parent educators partner with parents and caregivers to realize their role as their child’s first and most influential teacher during the crucial years of birth to five. All children will learn, grow, and develop to realize their full potential. Funded by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Grant (MIECHV). Services are at no cost to the parent. Services include: individualized home visits, parent groups, parent/child groups, developmental screenings, lending library, transportation, and referrals to community services.

Call 217-875-8842 or 217-872-5305.

Food given based on family size. Picture ID required. Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM.

Preschool experiences for: Parents and 2’s: one time a week, 3 years of age: 3 times a week, 4 years of age: 4 times a week, and Pre-K: 5 mornings a week. There is a $100 non-refundable fee that covers snacks, materials, and registration. Serving families since 1965.

Makes referrals to child care providers. Referrals include child care centers, family child care homes, nursery schools, preschool programs, Head Start programs, summer programs, and resources for finding in- home care givers.

Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Sunday 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
Children under 2, members, and ACM members are free. Non-member children 2 and up pay $5. Offer exhibits that challenge a child’s mind in the areas of arts and sciences.

Hours: 6:30 AM-6:00 PM Monday-Friday.
They serve children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
Summer: Offers full-time program called Faith Finders, a rich learning environment full of learning opportunities. A learning environment, lots of interaction.

Provides full-time daycare and early learning for infants and children. There is also a school-age daycare for before and after school care for ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Fees are on a sliding scale and state child care subsidy is accepted. This is an United Way Agency.

Fitness classes, arthritis programs, water exercise, preschool program for ages 3-5. Progressive swimming lessons, gymnastics, and dance. They can serve children ages 6 weeks to 13 years of age during the summer. Call for more details.

A resource for making parenting easier in Decatur and in the surrounding areas. There are local events, family friendly activities, play groups, and parenting resources.

Clothing of all kinds and sizes, books, and household items. Monday- Saturday 9:00 AM-3:00 PM.

Check website for hours of operation.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:15 AM-4:15 PM.
INFANTS/CHILDREN: Children 12 months-17 years of age with routine and preventative dental care: exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, pulpotomies, and sealants.
18-20 YEARS OF AGE: basic dental care: fillings, extractions, exams, and x-rays.
21+: emergency care ONLY.
Provide services for those currently on the Illinois Medical Card. Few cash patients who meet WIC’s income guidelines are seen.

Investigates reports of child abuse and neglect. Provides services to families in immediate danger of having their children removed from their custody such as: substitute care, homemaker, counseling, advocate, crisis intervention, adoption of special needs children, and licensing of child care facilities.

Hotline: 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)

Inclusive child care center provides full-time early childhood education and care for children with or without disabilities ages 6 weeks to 6 years of age. State childcare subsidy and third party payments are accepted.

DSCC offers care coordination, benefits management, and financial assistance for the diagnosis and treatment of children from birth to age 21 with eligible special health care needs. Special health care needs include chronic disabling conditions such as heart defects, orthopedic conditions, cerebral palsy, hearing impairments, neurological disorders, urinary system problems, some eye impairments, certain inborn errors of metabolism, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and some craniofacial conditions such as cleft lip/palate. Financial assistance is based on parental income and available private insurance must be utilized prior to expenditure of DSCC funds. Care coordination and benefits management is provided to eligible children regardless of financial eligibility.

Early Beginnings offers home visiting, parental support, parent workshops, community referrals, and play groups. Free developmental screenings are offered for all children ages 0-5 residing in Decatur Public School District #61. Program eligibility will be determined at initial screening, which includes a parent interview. Funding provided by ISBE and DHS/MIECHV.

Speech language screenings, evaluations, and therapy available for all ages. Physical therapy available for children ages 0-18 years. Parent’s Night Out- respite care for children with a development disability and their siblings ages 1-15 years old. Parent’s Night Out occurs once a month during the summer and three times a month during the calendar school year.

Services: information and referral, job placement, individual and family services, counseling, advocacy, support groups, community education for people with epilepsy and their families.

Call for information. Various programs are held throughout the year.

1-800-800-6401

This program assists expectant families, infants, and/or young children with obtaining the health care services they may need to have a healthy pregnancy and promote the child's healthy development. This process occurs through assessment and referral.

Intensive service to families whose children have experience abuse or neglect. Services begin within 24 hours and agency staff available 24 hours.

Meets the last Thursday of each month from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM.

Ensures that each child placed in DCFS custody is linked to a primary care physician and receives required vaccines and yearly exams. The MCHD serves as the lead agency for eight counties: Clark , Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Macon, Moultrie, and Shelby.

Food and clothing available twice per month.

Hours of operation: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Hours: 6:00 AM-6:00 PM

Children must be potty trained or in the process of becoming so. Does not accept subsidies, offers 10% discount for 2 children, and 15% for more than 2 children. Both full and part-time openings available.

Clothing of all kinds and sizes, household items, and books.
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 AM-3:00 PM and Saturday 8:30 AM-2:00 PM.

The hours are 6:30 AM-6:00 PM. They serve children who are 6 weeks of age up to 12 years of age.
PRESCHOOL: It is a full-time program starting at age 2. They focus on Kindergarten readiness, and have a computer lab, library, outdoor classrooms, and field trips.

SCHOOL AGE: They provide before and after school care, transportation to area schools, summer camps, school break and holiday care, and field trips.

Hours: 6:30 AM-6:00 PM Monday-Friday

They serve children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, with before and after school care available. Limited number of CCRS clients are accepted.

Provides breastfeeding information and support for breastfeeding mothers. Offers a lending library, 24-hour phone counseling service, and booklets on nursing and nursing problems. Call for meetings times.

A doula is a nonmedical person who assists a woman before, during, or after childbirth, as well as her partner and/or family by providing information, physical assistance, and emotional support.

They provide foster care, individual/marital/family counseling, family life education, and a veteran’s housing program.

Programs and services offered for residents of Macon County for all ages. Family Case Management and supportive services offered for pregnant women and their children, immunization clinic for all ages, WIC program, Dental Clinic, STD counseling and testing, TB skin testing, foreign travel immunizations, Senior Services for adults age 60 and over, information, referral, and assistance for people with disabilities ages 18 and over; environmental health services, health education, and community outreach.

Check website for hours of operation and dates.
Family reading nights, summer story times, and summer ready program.

3’S CLASS: Thursday-Friday 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
4’S CLASS: Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM-11:30 AM Christian preschool during school year.

3’S: Monday-Tuesday 9:00 AM-11:30 AM
4’S: Wednesday-Friday 9:00 AM-11:30 AM
Non-denominational, bible-based curriculum with an emphasis on social development and kindergarten readiness. Open September-May.

24 hour Helpline, free STI testing, free pregnancy tests, pregnancy confirmation by physician exam and ultrasound, on-going support through pregnancy, information on pregnancy options, professional counseling, post-abortion counseling, miscarriage and adoption support, one-on-one mentoring and referrals for prenatal care, referrals to legal aid, referrals to medical card information, and an adoption liaison.

Programs:

BEST Program: Earn coupons by attending Parenting and Educational classes. Coupons are redeemable at New Life Pregnancy Center for baby clothing (0-5T), diapers, infant furniture, etc.

SEX ESTEEM: Abstinence only educational presentations for schools, churches, community groups, and parents.

All services are free and confidential.

217-872-5555 (Helpline)

Medical Services: Birth control services available by appointment. Complete physical exams including screenings for breast and cervical cancer and STDs. Routine lab tests include: red blood cell count, blood pressure, urinalysis, and sickle cell.

Counseling Services: Strive to educate and inform clients of all available options. Counseling services include nutrition, weight control, sterilization (male and female), infertility, unplanned pregnancy, methods of birth control, and parent-child relationships.

Education: Programs available for parents, schools, churches, and community groups on a wide variety of topics.

Services: Medical screenings, services, and evaluations for women not in need of birth control.

Lab tests: Pap smears and urinalysis. Referrals given for mammograms. Diabetes and cholesterol screenings offered. Osteoporosis and cardiovascular prevention education given. Physical exams completed by Nurse Practitioners and/or physicians.

Fee based on ability to pay. There is no minimum requirement for medical services.

Licensed center provides child care and preschool activities for children of parents who are enrolled in classes at the college in addition to community children. It is licensed for children ages 2-12. Both full time and part time child care is available. Summer hours 7:30 AM-5:30 PM Monday-Friday. Fall hours are 7:30 AM-7:00 PM Monday- Thursday and Friday 7:30 AM-5:30 PM. Child care payment assistance may be available through CCRS, Workforce Investment Solutions, and financial assistance. In addition, any enrolled student with a Pell Grant, after using the money for books and tuition, may use any remaining amount to help cover the costs of the child care.

Offers free assessments to identify the effects of violence on children. Provides information and referrals to services available in Macon County. Offers therapeutic services to children who have been seriously affected by violence and provides information on healthy parenting skills. They also provide case management and therapy sessions to children and their families. Provides community and violence education.

The Zoo is open daily April to October with special summer hours of: 10 AM-7 PM daily, with last admission being at 6 PM. On 8/20, they return to regular hours, which are 10 AM-5 PM on weekdays with last admission being at 4 PM, and 10 AM-7 PM on weekends, with last admission being at 6 PM. Admission prices are: $5.25 for adults, $3.25 for children 2-12, $4.25 for seniors 65+, and children under 2 are free. Free days are on Thursdays.
There are additional charges for the Z.O. & O. Train and for the Endangered Animals Carousel.
Project Playground is open daily and is free to the public. It is ADA- accessible.

Located on the 3rd floor in the Medical Arts Building connected to St. Mary’s Hospital.

Provide prenatal care to all women regardless of their ability to pay. Hours: 9:00 AM- 3:30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Call 217-464-2805 for appointments

This program offers caregiver services to informal caregivers caring for older adults, older caregivers caring for adult children with disabilities, and to grandparents/kinship caregivers. Caregivers are met with one- on-one to assess their needs and to link them to many community supports. Trainings on various topics are also provided throughout the month. A Caregiver Support Group is offered on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 10:00 AM, and it is open to any caregiver needing support without regard to the age or diagnosis. A Hope Grows support group takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM for grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship caregivers.

Education and information for consumers, homeowners, families, youth, agriculture, and limited resource families.

Mental Health Services for children ages 0-17.

Hours of service are 6:00AM-6:00 PM for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. They offer before and after school care and summer school age programs. State subsidies are accepted.

The Child Care Center provides full time year round care for children ages 2-5. Activities include preschool enrichment activities, weekly swim lesions, creative movement activities, and literacy skills. The school-age program provides before and after school care for grades K- 6 in conjunction with the Decatur Public School System, Warrensburg- Latham schools, and Maroa-Forsyth schools. This care is provided at the actual school sites. Full time care is also provided for school-age children on school holidays and throughout the summer months. Activities include field trips, fitness, arts and crafts, character development, and much more. Financial assistance is available through accepting CCRS, and internal scholarships are available.