The Residential Component: Dedicated to serving adults with serious mental illness.
Stepping Stones is a private, nonprofit 501c3 community mental health provider in Winnebago County. The organization, which first opened in 1969 with a single halfway house, provides mental health services to over 180 clients. The organization employs just over 100 staff. By offering a variety of mental health treatment interventions and access to 24-hour services, we provide our residents opportunity to live in the most independent community setting. Our locations are scattered around town, with our main office located in the downtown area of Rockford. We are a trauma-informed, person-centered mental health treatment provider, dedicated to those with serious mental illness. Our residents are not their diagnoses. We recognize the person, not the illness. The organization works to bust stigma, to make positive contribution in the community and to provide safe, affordable and decent housing. We validate that persons with serious mental illness have the right to a quality of life afforded by the least restrictive living environment.
We are a part of our community.
We are a family.
Stepping Stones employs a treatment continuum which combines case management, counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, community support services, psychiatric services and housing to meet the individualized recovery needs of each person served. Medically-needed interventions are combined with a strong support network and options for residential needs. Residents who live in our 24-hour a day supervised group homes receive the most intensive services to help them become more stable. Individuals in supervised apartments receive services aimed at helping them learn the skills they’ll need to live even more independently. Those in supported housing, who have developed specific recovery skills and demonstrated the ability to live more independently, receive case management at the frequency and in the treatment areas where they need assistance.
The Outpatient Component: Mental health services across the lifespan.
In 2022, Stepping Stones of Rockford opened an outpatient mental health counseling center for children, teens and adults with serious mental illness and emotional disturbances. Located at 4317 Maray Drive, the new treatment facility features mental health services across the lifespan. Staff provide compassionate trauma-informed counseling, case management and telepsychiatry to the underserved, including Medicaid recipients who have serious mental illness or emotional disturbance. The office is on the RMTD bus route, with a bus stop right down the street. The 8800 square foot Outpatient Counseling Center houses the offices of our Associate Clinical Director, the LPN and ten master's level clinicians. The treatment center features two waiting rooms, a play/art therapy office, tele-psychiatry office, group room/multi-purpose room, conference room and recreational area. Parking is plentiful and on location.
The outpatient expansion is possible thanks to the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board: "The purpose of the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) is to plan, implement, and monitor a system of mental health and addiction services for Winnebago County residents suffering from serious mental illness and addictions. WCCMHB distributes sales tax proceeds to provide services to individuals whose illnesses prevent their functioning in age-appropriate social roles. The use of clinical, evidence-based practices allows individuals with serious mental illness and addictions to remain in the community while accessing their care needs." http://r1planning.org/wccmhb
Stepping Stones of Rockford...
is licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Health and Human Services Office of Mental Health. The organization is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). We are primarily funded through through the Department of Health and Human Services, with partial funding from Department of Children and Family Services and grant contributions. In addition, the organization has partnered with County Courts from around the state to provide mental health care to people involved in various forensic programs, including Winnebago County’s Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) Court.
It actually does take a village! It's cliche to say "it takes a village," but it's true--countless individuals, groups, organizations and foundations support our mission. We can't provide quality mental health services without help. The Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board, Kjellstrom Foundation, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, SAMHSA, and Cosmopolitan Club are just a few entities that provided finanical support in 2022. It takes a village...
We honor the staff as they tirelessly share time and talent to ensure clients receive the highest quality care.
We thank the Board Members as they actively support the mission and vision.
We express gratitude to individuals who give annually, provide wish list items, volunteer time and/or purchase rocking chairs!
We recognize the positive impact of NAMI Northern Illinois, Stars of Light and community providers.
We appreciate each and every client as they navigate the treatment process.
It takes all of us to meet the needs of the underserved, the seriously mentally ill of all ages.
Welcome to Stepping Stones of Rockford. We're glad you're here!
