City of Bloomington, IN - Community and Family Resources Department

Get your cats and dogs caught up on their annual vaccinations this Sunday, January 7, at the Monroe County Humane Association Mobile Vaccine Clinic. Find all the details in the original post below.

Start the New Year right by making sure your dogs and cats are all caught up on their routine vaccines and wellness care on Sunday, January 7!

In addition to vaccinations, this clinic will provide access to nail trims, a**l gland expressions, microchipping, and preventive measures for fleas, ticks, and heartworm.
All are welcome, no appointment needed! 🐶💚🐱

Our veterinary team looks forward to seeing you at our Animal Care Campus located at 791 S Fieldstone Blvd from 1-3 p.m.

https://www.monroehumane.org/wellness-clinics/

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up on Monday January 15th, 2024. If you're eager to celebrate the legacy of this Civil Rights leader by serving your community, take a look at the MLK Jr. Day volunteer opportunities on the Bloomington Volunteer Network.

The Bloomington Volunteer Network is full of opportunities for individuals and groups to serve their community through supporting area organizations. Click the link below to learn more.

https://www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/need/index?need_id=882252&need_init_id=1359

www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org

EAP is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applicants can apply online via the online portal, by mail, in person, or by calling 2-1-1.

EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected or are about to get disconnected. An EAP benefit will not cover all your annual heating and electric costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly. These benefits are paid directly to the utility vendor to help cover your heating and electric costs. If your utilities are included in the rent, you may still qualify for EAP.

For more information on which LSP serves your county, visit the following site, and click on your county of residence via the map: https://ow.ly/o9NH50QfVfT

Happy Kwanzaa from CFRD!
To learn more about Kwanzaa, check out this article from the National Museum of African American History and Culture: https://tinyurl.com/3j7d5r8y

Merry Christmas from CFRD!

Attention Monroe County teenage students and parents! We have several spots still available next semester to join our FREE after school teen program here at the Banneker Community Center, at 930 W 7th Street! Homework help, snacks, all sorts of fun activities and games, enrichment lessons, sports, field trips, cooking lessons, and more! All you have to do is register here: https://bit.ly/3Oy0SLW

Free pickup provided for students at the Academy of Arts and Science, Tri-North , and Batchelor. From after school until 5:45pm pickup time, Banneker Community Center is the place to be! Call us with questions at 812 349 3735.

CFRD offices, along with all other City Hall offices, will be CLOSED on Monday, December 25th, for Christmas Day. If you need access to free or low-cost direct services, please don't hesitate to visit Helping Bloomington Monroe at helpingbloomingtonmonroe.findhelp.com .

Honor the outstanding women in our community. Get your nominations in asap!

The Commission on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Women's Achievement Awards. These include the 2024 Woman of the Year, Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution, Emerging Leader, and Young Woman of the Year.

Winners will be recognized at the 2024 Women's History Month Luncheon on Thursday, March 28th, 2024. Nomination deadline is January 26th, 2024.

Nomination Form: https://form.jotform.com/CFRDForms/2024-womens-achievement-awards

For more information: https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2023/12/15/5822

The Commission on the Status of Women is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Women's Achievement Awards. These include the 2024 Woman of the Year, Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution, Emerging Leader, and Young Woman of the Year.

Winners will be recognized at the 2024 Women's History Month Luncheon on Thursday, March 28th, 2024. Nomination deadline is January 26th, 2024.

Nomination Form: https://form.jotform.com/CFRDForms/2024-womens-achievement-awards

For more information: https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2023/12/15/5822

We have received a report that our phone number is being used in an attempt to collect personal information from residents of Bloomington Township. Please know that our staff will never ask for bank routing and account numbers over the phone. If you doubt that a call is legitimate, please feel free to hang up and call us back.

🥘 Food as Medicine 🥘

Register now for Food as Medicine! This 6-week program will run from Thursday, January 25 - Thursday, February 29, 2024. This free, hybrid program will have a combination of in-person and online sessions. The goal of a hybrid program is to avoid travel issues with winter weather, and accommodate more families who may not be able to attend in-person classes.

Thursday, January 25 and Thursday, February 29, the first and last sessions, will be held in-person at Banneker Community Center. January 29 - February 19 participants will be able to access the education and cooking demonstrations online, to complete at their convenience at home.

Free meal kits will be provided for participants each week!

📌To register for Food as Medicine, please visit https://bit.ly/3TmWkuE

📌For more information on Food as Medicine, please contact Purdue Extension at [email protected] or 812-349-2575

HAND Announces Homebuyers Club Dates for 2024

The City’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) will host five sessions of Homebuyers Club in 2024. Open to prospective homeowners across the community, the classes are targeted to first-time home buyers with income at or below 80 percent of area median income (AMI), with the goal of increasing accessibility to home ownership. Income-qualified residents who complete a Homebuyers Club and are purchasing a home within the city limits may qualify for assistance with downpayment and closing costs from HAND.

“Now, more than ever, purchasing a home is out of reach for many Bloomington residents,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “The HAND Homebuyer Club, as well as the down payment and closing cost assistance program, are some of the many ways that the City helps to make housing affordable. I encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how they can make homeownership a reality.”

Homebuyers Club sessions will cover the following topics:

Considering whether homeownership is the right option for you
Developing a household budget and home-buying action plan
Developing a savings plan, credit issues and credit repair
Working with a realtor and determining the right home for you
The importance of home inspections and how to value a home
Learning about mortgages and finding the right one for you
Protecting your investment through comprehensive home maintenance
Accessing community and neighborhood resources
Exploring funding assistance through local, state, and federal sources

Each session meets for two consecutive Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the first Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the second Saturday. In order to complete the Homebuyers Club, participants must attend both Saturdays of the session for which they are registered. 2024 dates are listed below:

Saturdays, January 20 and 27 (registration is now open)
Saturdays, April 13 and 20
Saturdays, July 13 and 20
Saturdays, September 21 and 28
Saturdays, November 9 and 16

The Homebuyers Club is open to all in the community at no cost. However, class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration opens approximately one month prior to each scheduled session. To register for the January session or to learn more about down payment and closing cost assistance available through HAND, please visit bloomington.in.gov/housing/home-buyers-club.

Happy Hanukkah from CFRD! The first day of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins today at nightfall.

EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected or are about to get disconnected. An EAP benefit will not cover all your annual heating and electric costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly. These benefits are paid directly to the utility vendor to help cover your heating and electric costs. If your utilities are included in the rent, you may still qualify for EAP.

EAP is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applicants can apply online via the online portal, by mail, in person, or by calling 2-1-1.

Applicants must contact their Local Service Provider to apply in person or request a paper application form. For more information on which LSP serves your county, visit the following site, and click on your county of residence via the map: https://ow.ly/o9NH50QfVfT

Bloomington is a bike-friendly city! Are you doing everything you can to maximize the protection of your bicycle? Check out these safety tips, and www.bloomington.in.gov/transportation/bike/registration to add your bicycle to the Bike Index.

The next Opioid Overdose Reversal Trainings for Winter! More may be added.

CSBM invites local children and their families to join us for a festive Winter Wonderland and Holidays Around the World celebration at the Banneker Community Center (930 W 7th St) on Saturday, December 9, from noon to 4:00 p.m. This free event promises an array of seasonal activities, including arts and crafts, cookie decorating, holiday carols, complimentary photos with Santa, and a toy giveaway. Embracing the spirit of diversity, the event will also showcase holidays around the world.

This year, a special two-hour sensory-sensitive experience from noon to 2 p.m., thoughtfully designed for families seeking a gentle atmosphere with low-light and low-sound settings will take place. Families interested in capturing photos with Santa in this sensory-sensitive environment can schedule appointments at bloomington.in.gov/csbm, during the designated time. For those who prefer to skip the photo session but would like to partake in the sensory sensitivity experience, feel free to join us between noon and 2 p.m.

The City of Bloomington After Hours Ambassador Program is managed by our CFRD colleague Charles Culp. In his position, Charles is a liaison between the City of Bloomington and people who visit and work in Downtown Bloomington. He works with business owners, service organization leaders, college students, and unhoused individuals to help keep Downtown Bloomington safe and thriving.
Charles was kind enough to design and install this display, which showcases a collection of photos and materials from his time as the After Hours Ambassador.

The CFRD offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for a staff event. We will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 7.
If you are in need of free or reduced-cost direct services/resources, please visit helpingbloomingtonmonroe.findhelp.com .

We are so happy to have the Persisterhood Workshop in the City Hall Display Case this December.

"The Persisterhood Workshop (TPW) is a volunteer-driven 501(c)3 educational charity. Our work serves to integrate individuals across the community and raise funds for local nonprofits. TPW brings people together through free workshops that offer opportunities to teach and learn the art of crafting. We donate 100% of our sales to local nonprofits whose programs advance social, political, and economic equality for all. Together, we work to smash the patriarchy one handmade piece at a time!"

Another event to add to your Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration calendar for 2024.

Mark your calendars!

Today is the FINAL DAY to nominate a community leader in your life for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award. For more information about eligibility and to submit your nomination, go to https://tinyurl.com/2024-legacy-nominations

We are so grateful to the Persisterhood Workshop and the After Hours Ambassador Program for their work to create a gorgeous City Hall Display Case for December.

Groundbreaking to Reopen Downtown Fire Station 1

Today marks the official start of a major remodel of the downtown Fire Station 1, located at 300 E 4th St. This is the first of four Public Safety projects funded by the $29.5 million Economic Development Local Income Tax Bonds approved by City Council and issued by the City early this year. Construction is estimated to cost $4.5 million and be completed by October 2024.

Following a major flood in June of 2021, Fire Station 1, formerly headquarters for the Bloomington Fire Department (BFD), was damaged when the entire basement and a portion of the first floor flooded. Beyond normal water damage, critical infrastructure and communications equipment located in the basement were destroyed and the building was rendered uninhabitable. Following an extensive feasibility study, reviewing other potential sites, the current site was deemed most cost effective if the causes of the flooding were corrected.

“We appreciate our professional, resilient, and innovative Fire Department personnel who have kept our city safe for more than two years from a temporary headquarters," said Mayor John Hamilton. We look forward to welcoming them back to an updated and improved downtown home.”

The current remodeling plan will remove and fill in the basement, move all critical building systems away from potential future harm, bring the building up to modern fire station design standards, and provide a more inclusive environment for the firefighters. In addition, the second major bond-funded project, acquiring and remodeling the Showers West building, will remove the fire administrative offices from Station 1 and co-locate all fire administration offices together, along with police administrators, in Showers West and City Hall to allow better coordination among public safety departments and with city government generally, as well as convenient access for the public.

“Community investments of this magnitude are crucial to maintaining excellent fire and emergency service," said Fire Chief Jason Moore. "I want to thank our firefighters who adapted to the temporary facility in order to maintain our mission. This newly upgraded facility will help them continue to serve our community with respect, integrity, and excellence.”

Upon completion of the facility, BFD plans to announce a Grand Re-Opening Ceremony that will invite the public in to see their investment in their fire department.

Santa Welcomes Children and Families to Winter Wonderland at Banneker

The City of Bloomington invites local children and their families to join us for a festive Winter Wonderland and Holidays Around the World celebration at the Banneker Community Center (930 W 7th St) on Saturday, December 9, from noon to 4:00 p.m. This free event promises an array of seasonal activities, including arts and crafts, cookie decorating, holiday carols, complimentary photos with Santa, and a toy giveaway. Embracing the spirit of diversity, the event will also showcase holidays around the world.

This year, a special two-hour sensory-sensitive experience from noon to 2 p.m., thoughtfully designed for families seeking a gentle atmosphere with low-light and low-sound settings will take place. Families interested in capturing photos with Santa in this sensory-sensitive environment can schedule appointments at bloomington.in.gov/csbm, during the designated time. For those who prefer to skip the photo session but would like to partake in the sensory sensitivity experience, feel free to join us between noon and 2 p.m.

To serve as a volunteer and contribute to the success of Winter Wonderland and Holidays Around the World, please register online at bloomington.in.gov/csbm.

For any inquiries or additional information regarding the event or the toy drive, please contact Safe and Civil City Director Shatoyia Moss at [email protected] or call 812-349-3559. Join us in spreading joy and warmth this holiday season!

Stressing the importance of testing your supply, no matter what. Don’t use alone. Carry naloxone. If you need test strips, naloxone, or any other safe supplies - come see us! We are located at 118 S. Rogers 47403, or Mondays & Fridays 12-2pm at Shalom and Wednesdays 12-2pm and Fridays 2:15-3:00 at Crawford apartments.

The alert system allows government offices to provide you with critical information quickly, including tornado warnings and advisories about road closures, missing persons, and evacuations specific to your address or the county. In addition, the City of Bloomington Utilities uses this system to alert customers directly of boil water advisories.

To create an account and sign up for the alerts, visit bit.ly/3tOURjF. Addresses are requested so the alert system can map out emergencies or incidents that are happening near your residence or place of work. You may register to receive time-sensitive messages via text, email, or home phone, and you can select the type of alerts you want to receive.

As the days get shorter and colder, the need for shelter becomes more critical. CFRD's Downtown Resources Map & Guide provides contact information for local organizations that can either help you find shelter or help you stay in your home. This guide also includes a map of the organizations' locations throughout downtown Bloomington. You can pick up a copy of the Downtown Resources Map & Guide from City Hall, or from a variety of local organizations, including MCPL's Downtown Location, Centerstone, and Beacon.

Happy Thanksgiving, Bloomington!

City Hall offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. City Hall will reopen on Monday, November 27th, at 8:00 a.m. We wish you, your family and friends a very Happy Thanksgiving.

City of Bloomington employment opportunities. For additional information visit bloomington.in.gov/jobs.

Program Manager - Historic Preservation - City of Bloomington, IN - Housing and Neighborhood Development - HAND

MS4 Inspector - Utilities - Environmental

Utilities Technician - Utilities - Engineering

Utilities Engineer - Utilities - Engineering

Jobs | City of Bloomington, Indiana Page last updated on May 16, 2023 at 11:13 am Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Bloomington. If you have trouble viewing the list of opportunities below, visit our Career Portal. If you are unable to access the portal or complete the online application, you may apply in-pers...

The latest episode of Hola Bloomington is a debrief of the City of Bloomington delegation's trip to experience our Sister Cities of Posoltega, Nicaragua, and Santa Clara, Cuba. Hosts spoke with Mayor John Hamilton and Chief of Staff Josefa Madrigal.

Hola Bloomington is WFHB's Spanish language Public Affairs show. Learn more and listen to the Sister Cities episodes at https://wfhb.org/category/public-affairs/holabloomington/