Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT

Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT MERIT provides specialized medical exams for children suspected of being abused or neglected in N IL.

Thank you to everyone who attended last week’s Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children® training and took an active role...
05/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended last week’s Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children® training and took an active role in building safer communities for children. 💙

Together, participants explored key prevention strategies by learning the facts and identifying safe ways to take action, reflected in the thoughtful ideas and discussion throughout the training.

Want to be part of the next session?
📅 June 10, 2026
👉 Sign up or learn more here: https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-june-10-2026/

Thanks to funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter approved 1/2 cent sales tax, this opportunity is free for adults in Winnebago County.

Alt Text:
Image 1 (training posters):
Large sheets of paper taped to a wall display training content, including a “Spheres of Influence” diagram and steps such as “Learn the Facts,” “Minimize Opportunity,” and “React Responsibly.” The pages are covered with colorful sticky notes capturing participant ideas and discussion points.

Image 2 (flyer):
A training flyer for “Stewards of Children” lists the date as Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education in Loves Park. The flyer includes a brief description of the program, a QR code for registration, and logos for partner organizations.

We’re happy to share this upcoming event from our community partners at UI Health Mile Square Health Center - L.P. Johns...
05/19/2026

We’re happy to share this upcoming event from our community partners at UI Health Mile Square Health Center - L.P. Johnson Rockford focused on ACEs, resilience, and supporting strong kids and families in our community. 💙

See flyer below for details and registration information! ⬇️

The Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT Team had a great time at this year’s NAMI Northern Illinois and Wi...
05/15/2026

The Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT Team had a great time at this year’s NAMI Northern Illinois and Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board Building Bridges Event. 💚

We're grateful for the opportunity to connect with community members and provide our Body Boss Bags to parents and caregivers. The evening was filled with powerful voices and lived experiences that served as an important reminder of the impact of the voter-supported 1/2 cent mental health sales tax and the programs funded through the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful event possible!

Thank you to the community members who joined us last Friday for our Stewards of Children® training! 💙Together, we engag...
05/12/2026

Thank you to the community members who joined us last Friday for our Stewards of Children® training! 💙

Together, we engaged in important conversations about child safety, learned practical tools to help recognize and respond to concerns, and strengthened our shared commitment to creating safer, more supportive environments for children.

These trainings are meaningful opportunities for learning, reflection, and community connection, and we are grateful to everyone who chooses to be part of this work.

Missed this training? Our next Stewards of Children® training will be held on May 20, 2026 at the ROE.
Register here: [https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-may-20-2026/

Thanks to funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and 1/2 cent mental health sales tax, this training is FREE for adults in Winnebago County.

We can’t wait to attend this powerful event with NAMI Northern Illinois! 💚UIC MERIT will be there with a resource table ...
05/07/2026

We can’t wait to attend this powerful event with NAMI Northern Illinois! 💚

UIC MERIT will be there with a resource table alongside many other community programs funded by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter-supported 1/2 cent mental health sales tax.

Register now to connect with local resources, hear incredible speakers, and be part of an important conversation about mental health and wellbeing.

We are feeling all the love from our partners at April House CAC for Nurse Week! Thank you!!!! 💙
05/06/2026

We are feeling all the love from our partners at April House CAC for Nurse Week! Thank you!!!! 💙

There’s still time to register for our Stewards of Children® training on May 8! The link is back open and working!This f...
05/05/2026

There’s still time to register for our Stewards of Children® training on May 8! The link is back open and working!

This free training provides practical tools to help adults recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse—and feel more confident in how to help keep kids safe.

Thanks to funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter approved 1/2 cent sales tax, this opportunity is free for adults in Winnebago County.

Take a moment to sign up or share with someone who may be interested:
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-may-8-2026/

05/04/2026

May is Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the importance of caring for every child’s mental health and to reinforce that is essential to a child’s healthy development. To learn more, visit: https://bit.ly/3QlpuI3

🚨 Upcoming Training Opportunity! 🚨Please consider joining us for the next session of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Chi...
01/13/2026

🚨 Upcoming Training Opportunity! 🚨

Please consider joining us for the next session of Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® training.

Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed program that empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse. One of the most effective ways to protect children is to break the silence and talk openly about abuse prevention.

Our goal is to ensure every adult in Winnebago County has the knowledge and tools to help safeguard one of our most precious resources — our children.

✨ This training is FREE for any adult in Winnebago County, made possible through support from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board the voter-approved ½-cent sales tax.

📅 Upcoming Training Date:
January 22, 2026 | 12:00–3:15 PM

📍 Location:
ROE4

🔗 Register here:
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-january-22-2026/

Image Description (ADA):
Flyer for the Stewards of Children® training on January 22, 2026, held at the Boone–Winnebago ROE in Loves Park, IL. The flyer includes event details, a QR code for registration, and images of teddy bears, children holding hands, and a young girl pictured from behind. Partner organization logos appear at the bottom.

Address

2350 N. Rockton Avenue
Rockford, IL
61103

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18153958810

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