Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT

09/25/2025

✨ We’re officially less than a month away! ✨

The 2025 MERIT Symposium is right around the corner. This year’s event will feature dynamic speakers bringing a wealth of knowledge to our community!

Register today to join us! https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/merit-symposium-2025/

We are grateful for the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and county voters who approved the ½ cent sales tax, making events and education like this possible. It truly takes a community to protect a child!

09/22/2025

09/16/2025

🎉 UIC MERIT had a great time at the UW Health Kids Safety Fair last weekend!

We connected with 398 children and parents and handed out the Body Boss Bag to over 300 kids. 👜✨ This special resource helps families start important body safety conversations at home.

A big thank-you to the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and county residents who approved the ½-cent sales tax—your support makes this programming possible! 💙

09/12/2025

Only the best of the best therapists come up with a fun game to help kids talk about their feelings!!! You’re amazing Liz!

09/12/2025

We’re ready and excited to see you tomorrow at the UW Health SwedishAmerican Kids Safety Fair! 🎉

Stop by the UIC MERIT table, where our team will be handing out The Body Boss Bag (while supplies last!) along with other fun goodies. We can’t wait to connect with families, community members, and partners who share our commitment to child safety and well-being.

This programming and participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the ½-cent sales tax approved by county residents. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to equip our community with the tools needed to help every child grow up safe, happy, and healthy. 💙

09/08/2025

📢 59 Adults Trained—Let’s Keep It Going!

Our Stewards of Children® training sessions are making a real impact in Winnebago County. Thank you to everyone who has joined us so far!

Haven’t attended yet? Here’s your chance! This free, evidence-based training equips adults to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse—and it’s open to any adult living in Winnebago County, thanks to funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the half-cent sales tax supported by county residents.

🗓 Next Training Date: September 17, 2025
📍 Location: Boone-Winnebago Regional Office of Education
300 Heart Blvd, Loves Park, IL
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 3:15 PM

🔗 Register Here: https://d2l.coalitionmanager.org/eventmanager/trainingevent/details/2290

🎓 3 CEUs available for Social Work, Counseling, MFT, Nursing, and Psychology (thanks to Rosecrance)
📚 PDHs available for educators (thanks to Boone Winnebago ROE)
📄 Certificate of Completion provided

Together, we’re building a safer, more informed community—one session at a time. 💙

08/08/2025

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT! 🎒
Our amazing community partner, Rock House Kids, is hosting a Back to School Health Fair to help get your family school ready! 💼✏️🩺

Stop by their Back to School Health Fair for supplies, health resources, and more — everything your kids need to start the year strong!

📍 Check out the flyer below for all the details!

Be sure to tune in to Fox 39's Morning Show today at 8 AM! RHK Executive Director, Dee Lacny, will be there to talk about today's Back to School Health and Rock House Kids. You don't want to miss it.

The Back-to-School Health Fair is TODAY 3-6 PM at Rock House Kids. We are excited to have more than 20 organizations coming to offer resources this year as well.

We also have a special guest! Rockford’s own professional basketball player – Isaiah Roby. Isaiah is coming to meet the kids and is one of our sponsors.

All services are offered at no cost, and we want as many families as possible to benefit from the services provided. Will you help us get the word out?

Find more details on our website: https://www.rockhousekids.org/.../rhk-community-health-fair

08/05/2025

It was a full and energizing first day at the City of Rockford Government’s 8th Annual Educators Summit!

UIC MERIT was honored to connect with attendees and share education and resources on child abuse prevention. With more than 200 educators and service providers in attendance, many meaningful conversations were had!

We’re grateful to the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½-cent sales tax for funding that makes our collaboration with the Educators Team and participation in community resource events possible.

We’ll be back tomorrow — stop by our table and say hello! 💙

08/01/2025

Back to school means new classes, new friends...and a good reminder to talk with our kids about the big stuff.

Take a few minutes to chat about consent, social media, and bullying.

These talks can help them feel prepared, supported, and confident for the year ahead.

07/29/2025

Join us for a fun evening of cocktails, a seated dinner, and a live auction — all to support MERIT (Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team)! 💙

Registration is officially open! https://go.uic.edu/MERITGala

Click the link to reserve your seat and support this important work✨

06/18/2025

Come learn more about ACEs and how they impact our communities. UIC MERIT is proud to be part of this important event—stop by our table to connect and learn more about our work!

With support from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the half-cent sales tax approved by county voters, we’ve been able to deepen our efforts around ACEs. Research shows that addressing ACEs can be a game changer—improving long-term health and well-being by strengthening the social determinants of health.

Don't miss out! Register now for the Winnebago County Symposium!
Follow the link below for more information and to register.
https://conta.cc/3HXzF4c