Programs & Services

Head Start and Early Head Start are free, federally funded programs aimed at supporting young children from birth to age five and their families in high-need areas of Macon-Bibb and Monroe Counties. This initiative provides a developmentally appropriate educational environment for children while creating a supportive atmosphere for their families. It recognizes parents as the primary educators of their children and empowers them to play a lifelong role in their child’s educational and developmental journey. To achieve this goal, the program offers services to children, families, and expectant mothers in key areas such as early learning, health, and family well-being, actively engaging parents as partners throughout the process.

• The Early Head Start Program serves zero to two year-olds.

• The Head Start Program serves three & four year-olds.

For more information on the Head Start / Early Head Start Program, please contact our office at 478-738-3240. If you are interested in signing up your zero to four year-olds for Head Start or Early Head Start, please access the online Enrollment Application tool by clicking here.

Head Start and Early Head Start neighborhood locations:

• Jimmie Samuel at Agnes Barden HS/EHS Center
  2521 Anderson Drive
  Macon, Georgia 31206
  478-471-1486

• Monroe County HS/EHS Center
  525 GA Highway 83 South
  Forsyth, Georgia 31029
  478-994-5174

• Walter P. Jones HS/EHS Center
  2350 Alandale Drive
  Macon, Georgia 31217
  478-738-3245

Georgia’s Pre-K Program is an educational initiative funded by the state lottery, designed for all four-year-old children who meet age eligibility requirements in Georgia. The primary objective of this program is to equip children with the necessary skills for success in Kindergarten and their subsequent educational journey.

In order to participate, children must be at least four years old on or before September 1 of the academic year in which they wish to enroll in Georgia’s Pre-K program. If a child reaches the age of four after September 1, they will need to defer their enrollment until the following school year.

For more information on the Pre-K Program of Macon-Bibb EOC, please contact our office at 478-738-3240. Those interested in signing up for Pre-K should access the online Enrollment Application tool by clicking here.

Pre-K neighborhood locations:

• Walter P. Jones Pre-K Program
  2350 Alandale Drive
  Macon, Georgia 31217
  478-738-3245

• Jimmie Samuel at Agnes Barden Pre-K Program
  2521 Anderson Drive
  Macon, Georgia 31206
  478-471-1486

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program aimed at supporting low-income households with their energy costs. This assistance can help reduce the likelihood of health and safety issues, including sickness, fire risks, or disconnection of services.

The LIHEAP program may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance:

• Energy bill payment assistance

• Energy crisis assistance

For more information, please contact one of our many case managers at 478-738-3240 or click the above application link to request assistance.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is the main federal funding source for Community Action programs throughout the United States. This funding helps individuals and families meet their basic needs, pursue education, achieve self-sufficiency, and improve their communities. A major advantage of block grants like CSBG is their flexibility, allowing local stakeholders who have the best understanding of their communities to identify the most pressing needs.

Some services that the Community Services Block Grant can assist with are:

• Rental Assistance

• Utility Assistance (Gas, Electric, Water)

• Prescriptions

• Vision (Eye Glasses)

• Education Related (Books, School Supplies, Uniforms)

• Employment Related (Uniforms, Shoes, Drug Testing fees, etc.)

• Bus Passes (Those needing transportation with starting a job/orientation or starting school)

• Referrals to other agencies

For more information, please contact one of our many case managers at 478-738-3240 or click the above application link to request assistance.

Emergency Assistance is available for individuals and families under diverse emergency circumstances to help restore stability. This assistance may cover areas such as housing, utility support, education, health care, and employment services. In addition, individuals and families will be referred to other social service and non-profit organizations for further support.

For more information, please contact one of our many case managers at 478-738-3240 or click the above application link to request assistance.

Rapid Re-Housing programs in Macon-Bibb County provide essential services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. These services encompass assistance with security deposits, first and last month’s rent, application fees, and utility deposits, among others. Participants must adhere to the financial guidelines established for the program and secure rental properties that align with the Fair Market Value for Macon-Bibb County, ensuring that the rent is reasonable.

For clients enrolled in Rapid Re-Housing who have exhausted their stay at a shelter or can no longer remain in their temporary accommodations, Hotel/Motel Vouchers are available. This provision may also extend to individuals or families if the shelter lacks available space and they qualify for assistance through the Rapid Re-Housing Programs.

Homeless Prevention services are available for individuals and families residing in Macon-Bibb County who meet the financial guidelines and whose housing costs are deemed reasonable. These services are specifically targeted at those who possess a court-ordered eviction notice and can demonstrate that, once assisted, they will be capable of maintaining their housing.

For more information, please contact one of our many case managers at 478-738-3240 or click the above application link to request assistance.

The Regional Transportation Program ensures the safe and timely transportation of clients to their desired destinations. The agency strictly follows the guidelines set by the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide high-quality services to eligible consumers. Macon-Bibb EOC facilitates transportation for the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities (DBHDD), Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Division of Child Support Services (DCSS), and local senior centers. These services are provided across Baldwin, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Macon-Bibb, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, and Wilkinson counties.

Our transportation services are offered continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, please contact Cheryl Ross, Transportation Manager, at 478-738-3240.

The Regional Transportation operates programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. For more information about Title VI, including equal employment and disability rights, please reference the Middle Georgia Regional Commission (MGRC) website. Macon-Bibb EOC works in coordination with the MGRC to administer and provide its coordinated human service based regional transportation services.

The Foster Grandparent Program is a federally funded initiative that invites individuals aged 55 and older to engage as mentors, tutors, and caregivers for children with special needs. This program provides essential one-on-one support, fostering improvements in the academic, social, and emotional development of these children, while also offering seniors a significant volunteer opportunity. Participants often fulfill the role of a “grandparent” figure, interacting with children in various environments, including schools, childcare centers, and other community settings. Foster Grandparents dedicate an average of 5 to 40 hours weekly to the Macon-Bibb County community.

Anyone interested should contact Latrice Hodges, Foster Grandparent Program Coordinator, at 478-738-3240.

To promote job readiness, a personalized action plan will be created for each individual. Workshops will be organized, and materials will be provided that focus on work ethic, reliability, continuous learning, and the importance of going above and beyond. In terms of Incidental Support Services, adults will receive assistance to facilitate their active participation in employment-related activities, in partnership with Middle Georgia Consortium.

The Middle Georgia Consortium connects job seekers with career opportunities across Middle Georgia by providing them with access to career services, education, and job training. We work to present employers with a pool of skilled local workers to help them expand their teams. For more information, please contact 478-953-4771.