Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team-MERIT

10/06/2026

🚨 3 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER! 🚨

Protecting Innocence 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children is coming up on Friday, October 23!

Join professionals from across disciplines for a full day of learning, connection, and conversation focused on strengthening systems to protect children.

📅 October 23, 2026 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 UIC College of Medicine Rockford
💙 FREE
📚 Professional credits available (CEUs, PDHs, MTUs, and CMEs)

⏰ Registration closes THIS FRIDAY, October 9!

👉 Register now: go.uic.edu/MERITSymposium

This event is supported through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½-cent Community Mental Health sales tax.

Oct 23 2026 Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children MERIT Symposium 2026 October 23, 2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM "Google Map of 1601 Parkview Ave." Location UIC Rockford Campus Address 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107 Cost Free Calendar Download iCal File UIC....

09/30/2026

Thank you for this recent generous donation to MERIT. These items provide much-needed distraction, comfort, and moments of joy during what can be a difficult experience.

09/25/2026

This is something we talk about during Stewards of Children training. If you haven't attended yet this invaluable training is being offered again on Friday October 9th! Register here: https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-october-9-2026/

We are fortunate that the funding made available by the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter approved 1/2 cent mental health sales tax allows this training to be provided FREE for anyone residing or working in Winnebago County!

Children should be able to trust the adults in the places they learn, play and grow.

When someone in a position of trust is accused of harming a child, the questions cannot stop with one individual. Organizations and communities should also be asking whether appropriate safeguards were in place and whether concerns could have been recognized sooner.

Child protection requires us to look beyond individual actions and consider the environments we create around children.

Every organization that serves children has a responsibility to make their safety a priority.

09/23/2026

💙 One month until Protecting Innocence 2026!

On Friday, October 23, professionals from across disciplines will come together at UIC College of Medicine Rockford for a full day focused on strengthening systems to protect children.

We’re so excited to spend the day with everyone as we learn, connect, and share ways to better support and protect children in our community and beyond! ✨

📅 October 23, 2026 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 UIC College of Medicine Rockford
💙 FREE
📚 Professional credits available

⭐ REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 9! ⭐

This event is supported through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½-cent Community Mental Health sales tax.

👉 Register at go.uic.edu/MERITSymposium

Oct 23 2026 Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children MERIT Symposium 2026 October 23, 2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM "Google Map of 1601 Parkview Ave." Location UIC Rockford Campus Address 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107 Cost Free Calendar Download iCal File UIC....

09/09/2026

ONE MONTH TO GO!

Registration for Protecting Innocence 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children closes in ONE MONTH!

Join us on Friday, October 23 for a FREE, full-day multidisciplinary symposium focused on strengthening systems and protecting children.

💙 Professional credits available
📅 October 23, 2026 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 UIC College of Medicine Rockford
💙 FREE

Don’t wait! Register today:
go.uic.edu/MERITSymposium

Registration closes October 9!

This event is possible with the support and funding of the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and voter approved 1/2 cent mental health sales tax.

08/25/2026

📣 Professional Credits Available!

Registration is open for Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children on Friday, October 23, 2026!

This FREE, multidisciplinary symposium offers professional credits for a variety of disciplines, including:

🩺 Up to 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ for physicians
📚 7 PDHs for certified educators
💙 5.5 CEUs for social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and nurses
👮 MTUs for law enforcement, including mandatory credit for Illinois sworn law enforcement officers

Join professionals from across disciplines for a full day focused on strengthening systems and protecting children.

📅 October 23, 2026 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 UIC College of Medicine Rockford
💙 FREE

Registration: go.uic.edu/MERITSymposium

This event is supported through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½-cent Community Mental Health sales tax.

Oct 23 2026 Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children MERIT Symposium 2026 October 23, 2026 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM "Google Map of 1601 Parkview Ave." Location UIC Rockford Campus Address 1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107 Cost Free Calendar Download iCal File UIC....

08/18/2026

📣 There’s still time to register!

Join UIC MERIT this Friday, August 21, for a Stewards of Children® training from Darkness to Light. This training helps adults recognize, respond to, and take action to prevent child sexual abuse.

💙 Friday, August 21
⏰ 9 AM -12:15 PM
📍 1601 Parkview Ave. S232, Rockford, IL 61107
🎟️ FREE
CEUs and PDHs are available

If you work with or care for children, we’d love to have you join us!

👉 Register today and be part of creating safer environments for children: https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/darkness-to-light-stewards-of-children-program-august-21-2026/

This training is made possible through funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½-cent mental health sales tax.

08/14/2026

Making an Impact in PY5 💙

The UIC MERIT Enhanced Services and Community Prevention Education Program is proud to share the impact of our work throughout Program Year 5.

From supporting children and families to providing education and strengthening connections across our community, this year was filled with meaningful work and meaningful connections.

🎥 Watch our PY5 Grant Impact Video to see what we accomplished together!

Thank you to the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voters who approved the ½-cent mental health sales tax for recognizing the importance of supporting children and families and investing in their well-being.

08/13/2026

Last week, we had the honor of participating in the 9th Annual Educators Summit! 💙

Our Nurse Practitioner and Director, Shannon Krueger, presented on Strangulation alongside Kim Wolgast from UW Health. Our social worker, Elizabeth Kroening, facilitated an interactive, scenario-based activity, and our MERIT resource table connected educators with resources and information to raise awareness.

It was a great opportunity to equip area educators with essential tools to help keep children safe and support families all year long! 📚✨

Participation made possible, in part, by funding provided through the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved ½-cent mental health sales tax. 💚

08/10/2026

📣 Registration is now OPEN!

We are so excited to invite you to attend UIC MERIT’s 3rd Annual Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children on Friday, October 23, 2026.

This FREE symposium brings together professionals from across disciplines to strengthen collaboration and support systems that protect children.

🔗 Learn more and register here:
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/events/protecting-innocence-symposium-2026-strengthening-systems-to-protect-children/

This programming is made possible through the support of the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board and the voter-approved 1/2 cent mental health sales tax.

We hope to see you there! 💙