Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT

02/24/2026

EDUCATORS' SUMMIT PRESENTATION PROPOSALS: The Educator Team is accepting presentation proposals for the 9th Annual Educators’ Summit occurring on August 4 and 5, 2026. This event provides training for educators and youth-serving professionals on addressing youth in crisis due to domestic, sexual, or community violence.

Proposals are due by March 3. Visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkCwppBUJ0YnoZ-Bj5XaYw-msMAc_8aUVMD242zQizTnyj2g/viewform for more information and to submit your proposal for consideration.

02/23/2026

On February 17, the MERIT team had an amazing time at Rock House Kids - RHK talking with middle and high school students about consent during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

Using the F.R.I.E.S. model, we explored how consent must be Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific — and what that actually looks like in real-life situations. The conversations were thoughtful, honest, and empowering. Each participant showed up ready to learn and engage!

Every teen was offered a copy of Love, Respect, and Red Flags by Alba J Morris to keep the learning going beyond the classroom.

And yes — we made it fun, too! Huge thank you to Bucciferro Family McDonald's for providing every teen with a free small fry! 🍟

We are so grateful to the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved 1/2-cent sales tax for supporting prevention education and making programs like this possible.

When we equip young people with knowledge and confidence, we help build safer, healthier relationships for the future. 💛

02/06/2026

We are grateful for the community investment that makes this impact possible. Funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved half-cent sales tax allows UIC MERIT to provide therapy services, complete ACEs assessments, share educational materials on child maltreatment, and offer professional training throughout our community.

Alt Text:
Infographic titled ‘UIC MERIT Enhanced Services and Community Prevention Education – 2nd Quarter Impact.’ The graphic reports that the program provided 92 therapy sessions, completed 47 ACEs assessments, reached 1,923 community members with educational materials through community events, and had 140 professionals attend the Protecting Innocence Symposium. The design includes illustrated scenes representing therapy, community outreach, and professional training.

02/03/2026

🚨 Upcoming Training Opportunity! 🚨

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

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:
February 11, 2026 | 12:00–3:15 PM
📍 Location:
ROE4
🔗 Register here:
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-february-11-2026/

Image Description (ADA):
Flyer for the Stewards of Children® training on February 11, 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.

01/23/2026

Yesterday we hosted a successful Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children® training with 13 professionals from law enforcement, medical settings, and schools who are committed to building awareness and strengthening child safety in our community.

This training was made possible through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter approved half-cent sales tax, which allows us to continue offering evidence informed education at no cost to participants.

Participants learned the 5 Steps to Protecting Children, including how to recognize signs of child sexual abuse, reduce opportunities for abuse, and react responsibly.

The next training will be held on February 11, 2026. More details and registration information can be found here:
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-february-11-2026/

Thank you to everyone who attended and continues to support child safety education efforts in Winnebago County.

Alt text – Photo 1:
Flip chart on an easel showing three concentric circles labeled “You” in the center, with surrounding layers labeled family, friends, older children, coaches, teachers, social media, school or classes, work, and community. The diagram illustrates participants’ spheres of influence.

Alt text – Photo 2:
Large wall poster titled “1. Learn the Facts” with multiple colorful sticky notes listing participant takeaways from a Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training.

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.

01/03/2026

Be that hero💙

12/22/2025

Happy winter break everyone! Please enjoy this free resource from our friends at Darkness to Light!

At Darkness to Light, we want to help families make the most of the holidays while keeping kids safe online. That’s why we created our 12 Days of...

12/10/2025

Thank you to Shannon’s amazing momma! She never forgets the children we serve at MERIT 💚❤️

12/09/2025

Last chance to register!
Please consider joining us THIS FRIDAY 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 and the voter-approved ½-cent sales tax.

📅 Upcoming Training Date:
December 12, 2025 — 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM
📍 ROE4
🔗 https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-december-12-2025/

Image Description (ADA):
Flyer for the Stewards of Children® training on December 12, 2025, at the Boone–Winnebago ROE in Loves Park, IL. The flyer includes event details, a QR code, and images of two teddy bears, children’s hands holding each other, and a young girl shown from behind. Partner organization logos appear at the bottom.

11/26/2025

🍂 This season, we’re extra thankful for the amazing donor who purchased items from our clinic’s Amazon Wishlist! Your support means the world to us and the families we serve. Thank you! 🧡

If you’d like to learn more about UIC MERIT or support our work through our Amazon Wishlist, you can find both using the links below:

UIC MERIT Website: https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/depts/academic-clinical/pediatrics/merit/

Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2UK3QW2MURYYJ?&sort=default

We’re grateful for our community and wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃🧡

Image Description: A table displays donated items including children’s books, sensory toys, a 3D viewer, and a Speak & Spell toy. Decorative yellow flourishes are at the top corners, with “We thank you!” written in yellow script in the bottom left and two white heart doodles in the bottom right.

11/19/2025

Unfortunately, due to low registration, the November 20, 2025 Stewards of Children trainings have been canceled.

Please consider joining us for the next session on December 12, 2025! 💙

Stewards of Children is an evidence-informed training developed by Darkness to Light that empowers adults to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.

One effective way to prevent instances of abuse is to break the silence and talk about it! Our goal is to ensure every adult in Winnebago County has the tools to help protect one of our most precious resources — our children.

✨ The training is FREE for any adult in Winnebago County, made possible through support from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½ cent sales tax.
📅 Upcoming Training Dates:

12/12/25 9 am-12:15 pm @ ROE4: https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-december-12-2025/

ID: Flyer for the Stewards of Children® training on December 12, 2025, at the Boone–Winnebago ROE in Loves Park, IL. Includes event details, a QR code, and photos of two teddy bears, children holding hands, and a young girl from behind. Logos from partnering organizations appear at the bottom.