DECATUR - Macon County is seeking service providers and community volunteers to participate in the Redeploy Illinois grant, according to a news release from the county's probation department.

The state grant, which seeks to reduce the number of juveniles sent to prison from the county, has been renamed Macon County Community ACCESS, which stands for Alternatives, Collaboration, Change, Education, Support and Success.

The state is providing Macon County with $369,251 for the 2006 fiscal year, primarily for treatment and services for youth. In June, Presiding Judge John K. Greanias decided to end the grant, citing a lack of local cooperation. Officials now say those problems are resolved and the grant will continue.

According to the release, several committees have been formed to address issues faced by youth in the justice system, including education and family needs. Those committees are made up of probation officers, educators, local service providers and other members of the community.

Others wanting to get involved in the grant can apply to be part of community restorative boards. Those boards will be comprised of volunteers with ties to the neighborhoods in which young offenders live. The volunteers will help young offenders understand how their actions have affected the community.

They also will help youths identify ways to repair the harm they have caused and provide support so youths can make permanent, positive changes in their lives.

Volunteers are required to fill out an application and complete 20 hours of training. For more information, call 425-4518.

The Macon County Court will begin accepting applications from service providers for the grant at a meeting at 6 p.m. July 27 in the Decatur Public Library Madden Auditorium.

Applicants must provide a detailed description of their ability to provide services in one or more of the following areas: assessment, home intervention and outreach, substance abuse, mental health, residential placement and teen court. Application information will be available at the meeting or in advance by calling 424-1444, ext. 8666. Deadline for applications is Aug. 19.