Firestone Funding for Displaced Workers in Macon County

The Attorney General Jim Ryan (2002) granted $500,000. to the newly developed Displaced Worker Program in Macon County at University of Illinois Extension office in fall of 2002 for their program's design and implementation. The money was to be used to assist and aid displaced workers who lost their employment in Macon county beginning in October of 2001 to current. The funds are to be used to help with education, counseling or emotional assistance. These funds cannot supplant any other funding that might be available and are only to be used as a last resort, i.e. government assistance, veterans assistance, unemployment programs etc. The funding has assisted over 525 families to date and is still available for those not receiving help from any other resource and qualify per the Attorney General's guidelines. For more information call the unit office at 877-6042.

Job Preparedness Classes

The CED coordinator in the Macon County area offers these informative classes. Some of the topics that are addressed are: Critical Thinking Skills, Tool Belt for Attaining a Job, Presenting Yourself for Employment, and Dealing with the Interview, to name a few. Currently these are offered at the GED sites, Richland Community College, Decatur Area Technical Academy, Classroom at the Hickory Point Mall and Longview Learning Center. To sign up for a presentation to a classroom regarding any of the many topics for job preparedness, call the Macon County Extension office and ask for the CED coordinator at 877-6042.