Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT

05/01/2026

What a whirlwind of a month! 💙

April has been incredibly busy for the UIC MERIT team, filled with meaningful events, community conversations, and shared goals.

It’s been inspiring to see so many people come together for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

While we’ve been hard at work behind the scenes and on the ground, we hope you also spotted our billboards popping up around town! 🚗📍

These displays were a constant reminder that keeping children safe is a community-wide mission that continues long after April ends.

Take a look at some of our favorite shots from the campaign below. 📸👇

Thank you for standing with us, attending our events, and helping us spread the word. Let’s keep this momentum going!

This project is possible thanks to the funding provided by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board through the voter-approved ½-cent mental health sales tax. We are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness, provide education, and strengthen the safety net for children and families throughout our community.

04/30/2026

🎉 Today’s the day! Join us tonight for Body Safety & Beyond 🎉

To close out Child Abuse Prevention Month, UIC MERIT and Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Inc. are hosting a community event for parents, caregivers, and anyone working with or raising children.

We’re excited to welcome best-selling author and prevention educator Kimberly King to Rockford this evening. She’ll share practical guidance on body safety language, recognizing red flags, understanding grooming behaviors, and helping children identify safe, trusted adults—along with simple ways to support these important conversations at home.

We’ve been busy getting ready—including packing Body Boss Bags for families attending tonight’s event! 💙 Each bag includes Ms. King's book "I Said No!" and other items designed to support and continue body safety conversations at home.

📅 Tonight (April 30)
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM (doors open at 5:30)
➡️ Please use the main entrance on the east side of the building
📍 UIC College of Medicine Rockford – Room A254

This program is made possible through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, supported by the local ½ cent sales tax.

✨ Walk-ins are welcome—bring a friend! We’d love to see you there 💙

04/29/2026

Our team is wearing denim today 💙

At UIC MERIT, we stand with survivors and remain committed to creating safe, supportive communities for children and families.

04/28/2026

Tomorrow is Denim Day 💙

At UIC MERIT, we believe prevention starts with awareness, safe conversations, and strong communities.

Wearing denim is one small way to stand with survivors and help create a world where all children and families feel safe and supported.

Join us tomorrow.

04/24/2026

📣 Registration is still open—don’t miss this!

Join us next Thursday for Body Safety & Beyond, a free event for parents and caregivers featuring Kimberly King.

Get practical tools to help keep kids safe and build confident conversations at home.

The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave., will host “Body Safety & Beyond,” a program to help adults caring for children under age 14, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Best-selling author and body safety educator Kimberly King, MS, Ed, will provide an engaging program that moves beyond “stranger danger” to equip adults with tools for having body safety conversations, teaching children about body autonomy, gaining insight into grooming behaviors and helping kids identify and communicate with trusted adults.

This 1.5-hour event is designed for adults, and childcare will not be provided. It is sponsored by the college’s Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team (MERIT), which provides expert medical examinations for children suspected of being abused or neglected, as well as education on how to prevent and detect child abuse.

This program is free and made possible through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter-approved half-cent mental health sales tax.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/body-safety-beyond-tickets-1985736242556?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawRYVM5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUektaN3JncklDdmhVUG94c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqIcbhX5Ee3PqMQ8HGs8CAIUKSAlliAVOfRUW8gD4W-6sF46Wnlzhy5nzKDn_aem_UYo1fusQOXVKRHPUkj3hsA

04/23/2026

Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed April 23 as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Awareness Day 💙—bringing attention to the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the importance of prevention.

Supported by Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, this effort highlights how strong families, connected communities, and trauma-informed care can help children heal and thrive.

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, take a moment to learn more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers free ACEs training:
🔗 https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/aces-training/ #/

Explore new training and ensure all children grow up healthy and happy.

04/22/2026

Have you registered for Body Safety & Beyond? We would love for you to join us as we wrap up Child Abuse Prevention Month with best-selling author and prevention educator, Kimberly King! Please share with the parents/caregivers in your life!

The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, 1601 Parkview Ave., will host “Body Safety & Beyond,” a program to help adults caring for children under age 14, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Best-selling author and body safety educator Kimberly King, MS, Ed, will provide an engaging program that moves beyond “stranger danger” to equip adults with tools for having body safety conversations, teaching children about body autonomy, gaining insight into grooming behaviors and helping kids identify and communicate with trusted adults.

This 1.5-hour event is designed for adults, and childcare will not be provided. It is sponsored by the college’s Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team (MERIT), which provides expert medical examinations for children suspected of being abused or neglected, as well as education on how to prevent and detect child abuse.

This program is free and made possible through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter-approved half-cent mental health sales tax.

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/body-safety-beyond-tickets-1985736242556?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/16/2026

We hope to see you at our Pinwheel Ceremony tomorrow at 12 pm!

April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team (MERIT) program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford is actively in…

04/14/2026

The April 16th Stewards of Children® Training at the ROE has been canceled due to low registration.

We hope you’ll join us at our next training on May 8th at the UIC Health Sciences Campus - Rockford

These trainings are free for adults in Winnebago County, made possible through the support of the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½ cent sales tax.

Learn how you can play a role in protecting children and strengthening our community.

View upcoming trainings (and events) and register here:
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/depts/academic-clinical/pediatrics/merit/



Image Description:
A smiling adult woman sits beside a young child in a classroom setting, looking at him warmly while he smiles at the camera. Overlaid text reads: “You have the power to protect kids from sexual abuse. Join us for a special training on how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.” Logos for the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, and Stewards of Children by Darkness to Light appear at the bottom.

04/10/2026

💙 National Child Abuse Prevention Month | Wear Blue Day 💙

At UIC MERIT, we know healing happens in safe spaces, through trusted relationships, and with a whole lot of heart. 💙

Today we’re wearing blue to stand with the children and families we serve—and to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month. When we listen, support, and show up, we help create a world where kids can feel safe, valued, and protected.

We’re grateful to do this work together and with all of our amazing partners across Northern Illinois! 💙

04/03/2026

This past quarter, we had the honor of celebrating several clients graduating from therapy at UIC MERIT. Through their hard work and participation in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), clients showed meaningful progress in reducing trauma-related symptoms and building healthy coping skills.

As part of their graduation, clients created “bravery wands” — a reminder of their strength, resilience, and the tools they’ve gained along the way.

We are grateful for the community investment that makes this work possible. Funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved half-cent sales tax supports UIC MERIT Enhanced Services and Community Prevention Education in providing trauma-informed care, education, and support to children and families in our community.



Image Description: Three colorful handmade “bravery wands” created by children are displayed on a table. The wands are decorated with feathers, ribbons, beads, stickers, and handwritten notes with positive messages, symbolizing strength and resilience as part of a therapy graduation activity.

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.