If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 for assistance.
Child abuse should be reported to the Department of Children and Family Services. You can make reports of child abuse by calling the DCFS Hotline at 800-252-2873 or online at https://dcfs.illinois.gov/safe-kids/reporting.html
Resources for Child Survivors of Sexual Assault and Abuse
The Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team (MERIT) is an innovative program developed by health care providers in collaboration with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the Carrie Lynn Children’s Center. At MERIT, it is our vision to be a child-centered, community-based program dedicated to providing all children suspected of being physically or sexually abused or neglected with timely expert medical evaluations and treatment, as well as serving the community as a resource for prevention, research and education.
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
2350 North Rockton Avenue, Suite 204, Rockford, Illinois 61103
Phone: (815) 395-8810 – Fax: (815) 963-8752
https://rockford.medicine.uic.edu/departments/academic-departments/pediatrics/merit/
Child Advocacy Centers
What is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC)?
A child advocacy center is a community-based organization made up of a multidisciplinary team that provides comprehensive care in response to child maltreatment. The CAC provides a safe location for a child to receive support services from multiple entities such as child protective services, law enforcement, forensic interviewers, prosecutors, family advocates, and medical and mental health professionals. Learn more about CAC’s here and here.
Carrie Lynn Center
(Serving Boone and Winnebago Counties)
Phone:
Website: https://carrie-lynn.org/
Brochure: Click Here
April House Child Advocacy Center
(Serving Whiteside County)
Phone: (815) 772-5286
Website: https://aprilhouse.org/
Brochure: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jJvLXDb5dOPBjxT1W36_iwNXPMkGLsbx/view?usp=sharing
April House Guidebook (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/15bbm6fOg6G4q-9N0DKKbZYUOKFOyJMvc/view?usp=sharing
April House Guidebook (Spanish): https://drive.google.com/file/d/19d1hQURJ_aNnkFeOBFh49NC2HvfxRU6V/view?usp=sharing
Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center
(Serving Ogle and Lee Counties)
Phone: 815-284-1891
Website: https://shiningstarcac.com/
Brochure: Click Here
Tyler’s Justice Center
(Serving Jo Daviess, Stephenson, & Carroll Counties)
Phone: 815-947-6030
Website: https://www.tylersjusticecenter.org/
Brochure: Click Here
Other Resources:
National Children’s Alliance: https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/
Child Welfare Information Gateway: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center: www.chicagocac.org
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services: www.state.il.us/dcfs/