Building Opportunities to Transform Communities
Our Mission: Tri-County Opportunities Council will investigate the impact of poverty throughout our nine county service area and will work, in partnership with individuals, families and communities to provide opportunities that support movement toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Our Programs
How We Can Help
Tri-County Opportunities Council serves nine counties in northwest Illinois: Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle, Putnam, Stark and Whiteside. Tap or click on the program names below for more information on each, along with related applications and eligibility guidelines.
Community Services Block Grant
Funding to reduce poverty, revitalize income-eligible communities and to empower income-eligible families to become self-sufficient.
Foster Grandparent Program
Foster Grandparents work one-on-one with children or in small groups in classroom settings assisting with academics, social skills or other special needs.
Early Head Start
A comprehensive child and family development program to promote self-esteem, self-confidence, and school readiness for children ages 0-3.
Head Start
A comprehensive child and family development program to promote self-esteem, self-confidence, and school readiness for children ages 3-5.
Housing Programs
Assistance for individuals and families who are homeless, facing eviction or behind on payments, and assistance for income-eligible households living in participating properties.
LIHEAP
Help for eligible income-eligible households to pay for the rising cost of winter energy services.
Scholarship Program
Scholarships for applicants wishing to pursue high-demand careers.
Weatherization
Concentrates on weatherizing homes to make them safe by inspecting, cleaning and/or repairing the heating system, and to reduce the amount of fuel it takes to heat the home comfortably.
Investigating the Impact of Poverty
The Tri-County Opportunities Council (TCOC), Community Action Agency, was organized and incorporated in 1965 by a group of interested citizens from Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties for the purposes of investigating the frequency, location, character and cause of poverty; and coordinating efforts to prevent, alleviate and eliminate poverty through the cooperation of public agencies, private organizations, business, industry and interested individuals.
Current News & Information
CSBG COVID-19 programs
The Community Services Block Grant has a number of COVID-19 programs available. See below for details. Program guidelines limit CSBG eligibility to individuals and families
Early Head Start / Head Start Health
The TCOC Health page offers specific health requirements for each of our programs: Head Start, Early Head Start, and our Pregnant Women’s program. The page
Programs open by appointment
The LIHEAP and PIPP Program are now open to apply, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, to the general public until June 30, 2021. To schedule an appointment, contact a LIHEAP Intake Worker near you.
Grant money for Fulton, IL households
United Way of Whiteside County has received $10,000 in restricted grant monies and is collaborating with its partner agency, Tri-County Opportunities Council, and the City of Fulton to distribute
Rental Housing Support Program
Tri-County Opportunities Council’s Rental Housing Support Program is now accepting names for its waiting list. The program provides affordable housing to individuals and families with
Board members sought
Interested in becoming a board member for Tri-County Opportunities Council? Visit our Board of Directors page for more information on what the position entails.
