About
Empowering Connections through Hope and Opportunities (ECHO) Housing and Employment Support aims to provide comprehensive support for permanent housing and employment. Staff works with adults or families, who can live independently, providing intensive case management to promote skills, linkages to housing and employment, and overcome barriers. Case managers assess, plan, train, and connect participants to resources, taking a holistic approach to address basic needs, childcare, physical health and mental health for a stable future.
Support
Participants in the program receive weekly services for 90 days after obtaining housing and employment. To ensure retention, they receive at least monthly contact for a year before closing. A follow-up contact is made one year post-discharge to check housing and employment retention. Those facing instability in housing or employment can return to the program.
Eligibility
Individuals and families:
- considered homeless or at-risk of homelessness as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- with a prior residence in Champaign County
- who intend to remain a Champaign County resident
- able to live independently with or without ongoing support; and
- willing to actively engage in intensive case management services.
Learn more
Contact
Cunningham’s ECHO Coordinator
(217) 337-9309
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Leave a message for call back.
Referrals
Cunningham’s Intake/Admissions Specialist
(217) 337-9059; Fax (217) 367-5910
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Leave a message for call back.
OR
Champaign County Centralized Intake Office
(217) 819-4117
This phone is not answered 24/7. Leave a message for call back.
This number is also the point of entry for the Emergency Shelter for Families.