Child Abuse

● Agencies that identify child abuse ●
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting/Hotline - IL Dept. of Children and Family Services
Anyone may report suspected child abuse or neglect. Child welfare workers who staff the Child Abuse Hotline have special training in determining what constitutes child abuse and neglect under Illinois law. If a formal report is taken, a Child Protection Services worker will begin an investigation within 24 hours -- much sooner if the child is considered to be in immediate risk of harm.
  • Phone: (800) 25-ABUSE (2-2873), or 217-524-2606
  • Fax: (800)358-5117
- View Website
Department of Child and Family Services
The Department of Children and Family Services is best known for its child protection services. The goal of the Department's child protection program is outlined in the state's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act: "The Department of Children and Family Services shall, upon receiving reports made under this Act, protect the best interest of the child, offer protective services in order to prevent any further harm to the child and to other children in the family, stabilize the home environment and preserve family life whenever possible.
Illinois Hotline: 1-800-25-ABUSE/1-800-252-2873.
  • Rockford Office:
  • 200 South Wyman St. #201
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone:(815)987-7650


  • Satellite Office:
  • 107 N. Third Street
    Rockford, IL 61107
  • Phone: (815)967-3731
- http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/child/index.shtml
MERIT
MERIT, the Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team formed in May 2008 as a collaboration of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Carrie Lynn Children’s Center. MERIT works to identify child abuse. In addition to providing medical evaluations and treatment, the team also works as a community resource for prevention, research and education. M-F 8:30am-5pm.
  • 2300 North Rockton Avenue
    Rockford, Illinois 61103
  • Phone: 815-971-2726,
    After hours: 815-971-5000
  • Fax: 815.971.9813
- View MERIT website
Carrie Lynn Children’s Center
Clients must be referred by law enforcement or DCFS. Coordinates law enforcement&DCFS investigations of child abuse. Provides response to child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse allegations. The center coordinates and tracks investigations, medical treatment, crisis intervention counseling, counseling referrals, prosecution and training in order to protect the best interests of the child victims and their families. The crisis counselor offers five free sessions only to victims who have been interviewed and assists the families in arranging long-term counseling services.
  • 826 N. Main St.
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: (815)319-4150
  • Fax: (815)319-4151
- http://www.carrie-lynn.org/index.html
● Agencies that provide services to prevent child abuse ●
Salvation Army
Salvation Army programs include: Aid to Families and Transitional Care, Domestic Violence Services, Emergency Assistance, Family Counseling Services, Casework Services, Health Services, Clinics Services, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Youth Services, Community Recreation Programs.
  • 416 S. Madison Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-972-1135
- http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org
Shelter Care Ministries
Shelter Care Ministries programs include emergency and transitional housing programs for families in homelessness and MAYA’S House, a day time Drop-In Center for homeless children.
  • 412 N. Church Street
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-964-5520
  • Fax: 815-9861947
- http://www.shelter-care.org
YWCA
Provides child care referrals and consumer education to parents, offers training opportunities and technical assistance to child care providers, works to develop new child care options and assist employers in meeting their employees’ child care needs.
  • 4990 E. State St.
    Rockford, IL 61108
  • Phone: 815-968-6861
- http://www.ywca-rockford.org
City of Rockford Human Services Dept.
Community Services offers many programs as a response to current needs in the community. Programs include crisis assistance and emergency housing.
  • Rockford Office
  • Location Address: 555 N. Court St, Suite 301
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Mailing Address: 612 N. Church St.
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-987-5711
  • TTY: 815-987-5520
  • Fax: 815-987-5762

  • Boone County Office
  • 130 N. State St.
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-547-3800
  • Fax: 815-547-3757
- http://www.rockfordil.gov/human-services.aspx
MELD
MELD offers support and resources, emergency shelter and housing, and prevention education. Rockford MELD’s Mission is “guiding young parents to build a strong family and lead a responsible life by providing shelter, education and life skills training”.
  • 3703 N. Main St.
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-633-6353
  • Fax: 815-633-8709
- http:// www.rockfordmeld.org
● Foster Care Agencies that provide homes and services for abused children in Winnebago and Boone Counties ●
Camelot Community Care
Camelot Community Care is national non-profit child welfare and behavioral health organization committed to therapeutic Foster Care, 24 hour crisis intervention, counseling services for youth and families, and on- going foster parent training.
  • 5301 E State St # 208
    Rockford, IL 61108-2397
  • Phone: 815-484-9180, press 0 for immediate service
- http://www.camelotcommunitycare.org/
Catholic Charities
Outreach and emergency services. Professional counseling and casework services for individuals, marriages and families experiencing a variety of social, emotional and interpersonal problems.
  • 102 S. Madison St.
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • Phone: 815-965-0623
- http://www.ccrfd.org
Children’s Home and Aid of Illinois
Family Centered Counseling services provide therapeutic intervention for children and parents involved in the child welfare system in foster care, intact families or adoption situations. These counseling services help improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and maximize the family well-being and academic achievement of these children.
  • Northern Region:
    910 2nd Avenue
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • Phone: 815-962-1043
- http://www.childrenshomeandaid.org
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Provides services which include: adoption, pregnancy, foster care crisis intervention, youth programs, and counseling.
  • 321 W. State St. Suite 5
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: (815) 969-8836
- http://www.lssi.org
Our Children's Homestead
A Non-profit ogranization dedicated to assuring safe and secure homes and neighborhoods for abused, neglected and troubled children, taking on some of Northern Illinois’ toughest youth, challenging our staff and volunteers to change the lives of uniquely challenged children. OCH’s innovative approaches are different from ‘traditional’ foster care programs.
  • 483 N. Mulford Road, Suite 8
    Rockford, IL 61107
  • Phone: 815-316-7626
  • Fax: 815-316-7652
- http://www.ourchildrenshomestead.com
Illinois Mentor
Founded in 1980, The MENTOR Network is a national network of local human services providers offering an array of quality, community-based services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain and spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries and illnesses, and to youth with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges as well as their families.
  • 6701 Clinton Drive
    Loves Park , IL 61111
  • Phone: 815-282-6153
- http://www.thementornetwork.com
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
Offers services for adoption, couseling, foster care, pregnancy support, and safe families.
  • 5301 E. State Street, Suite 124
    Rockford, IL 61108
  • Phone: 815-229-3255
  • Fax: 815-229-3256
- http://www.evancfa.org
Lydia Home Association
Lydia Home Association offers "Safe Families for Children" which assists families during times of crisis such as unemployment, eviction or homelessness, family medical crisis, pregnant teens, post partum depression, etc., preventing the need for children to be placed in foster care by offering temporary placement.
  • 2323 South Sixth St., Suite 2
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • Phone: 815-966-0039
  • Fax: 815-965-3721
- http://www.lydiahome.org
Motherhouse Crisis Nursery
Offers 24 hour, 365 day/night nursery services to children, ages newborn to six, for families in crisis in an effort to prevent child abuse and/or neglect. Families in extremely stressful situations can bring their children to MotherHouse for "free" temporary nursery care. Examples of crises may include violence, homelessness, addiction, hospitalization, NA/AA meetings, counseling, and stress.
  • 1603 S. 4th St
    Rockford, IL 61104
  • Phone: 815-962-4858
- http:// www.crisisnursery.net
● Agencies that provide services, like counseling, to abused children and their parents/foster parents ●
Youth Services Network
There is no fee to clients. YSN serves youth ages 0-21 and their families by resolving trauma, reducing crisis, and stabilizing youth and families in their homes and in their community. YSN also works with non-offending parents, who, many times, are also victims of abuse. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and neglect are the areas of specialty. YSN addresses mental health and trauma issues by providing counseling, intensive case management, mentoring, tutoring, transportation, and recreation in order to reduce the impact of abuse on children and families. YSN also promotes cooperation among social service agencies by providing wrap-around services to clients and to children in Winnebago and Boone counties. Hours are 8:00 -5:00. Evening hours available. 24 hour on-call for emergencies, such as runaways and lock-outs.
  • 3703 N Main St
    Rockford, IL 61103-1688
  • Phone: 815-986-1947‎
- http://www.ysnkids.com
Janet Wattles/Mildred Berry Center
Janet Wattles Center and Mildred Berry Center are committed to providing comprehensive mental health services for adults, children, adolescents and their families.
Janet Wattles Center - Rockford
  • 526 West State Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-968-9300, TTY: 815-968-2648
  • Fax: 815-968-5314
Janet Wattles Center - Belvidere
  • 475 Southtowne Drive
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-544-4849
Mildred Berry Center
  • 8616 Northern Avenue
    Rockford, IL 61107
  • Phone: 815-332-8003
- http://www.janetwattles.org
Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Inc. (RSAC)
RSAC provides 24-hour crisis intervention, counseling services and advocacy support for survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse, ages 3-adult, and their significant others in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties. RSAC also offers prevention education programming and professional training in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties in Illinois.
  • Winnebago County:
  • 4990 E State St.
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: (815)636-9811


  • Boone County:
  • 860 Biester Dr., Suite 101
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: (815)544-6821


  • 24 hour line: (815) 636-9811 or
    Toll-free: (800) 564-8441
- http://www.rsaconline.org/
Family Counseling
"Licensed therapists and social workers provide individual counseling, couples, group, and family counseling to children and adults starting at age 4. Counseling Services: Parent-child conflicts, truancy, behavior problems, academic issues, social isolation; re-marriage&“blended” families' difficulties; also grief, depression,&anxiety. Accepts most insurance, provide sliding fee scale to Medicaid patients (Medicaid does not cover services). M 8:30–5:00; T&W 8:30–9:00; Th: 8:30–8:30; F: 8:30–1:00
  • 210 North Longwood Street
    Rockford, IL 61107
  • Phone: 815-962-5585
- http://www.familycounselingrockford.org