WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the Midwest Youth Service’s in Jacksonville a $125,000 grant to support community-based programs that help youth and restore families in Morgan County.

“Midwest Youth Services in Jacksonville does incredible work to support youth in Morgan County, helping divert at risk young people from juvenile justice systems and providing tools and resources for these individuals and their families,” said Rep. LaHood. “I was proud to advocate to the Department of Health and Human Services for this funding and am grateful that it will help the community. I applaud HHS and the Trump Administration for their efforts to support critical programs in Jacksonville.”

In May, Congressman LaHood wrote a letter of support on behalf of Midwest Youth Services for their grant application. You can read that HERE.

Background:

Midwest Youth Service’s in Jacksonville, Illinois mission is to divert youth from juvenile justice systems and child welfare systems while helping to strengthen and restore families. The Basic Center Program (BCP) helps create and strengthen community-based programs that meet the immediate needs of runaway and homeless youth under 18 years old. In addition, BCP tries to reunite young people with their families or locate appropriate alternative placements.

The funding will help provide:

  • Up to 21 days of shelter
  • Food, clothing and medical care
  • Individual, group and family counseling
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Recreation programs

###