Stepping Stones Counseling Center's official ribbon-cutting took place on ​May 12, 2022. The festivities were well-attended, thanks to great weather, incredible support from the community and local interest in expanded mental health services for the county. Speakers at the event included Mayor McNamara, Alderman Beach, Senator Stadelman, Jason Holcomb (Director of Community Impact at Region 1 Planning Council), and Joe Clinton III (Board President-Stepping Stones of Rockford). The agency thanks the Rockford Chamber of Commerce for leading the way in this endeavor and honors all those who were in attendance including Mary Ann Abate (President of Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board), Danielle Angileri (Executive Director of NAMI Northern Illinois) and members of the Stepping Stones of Rockford Board of Directors. Sue Schroeder (CEO at Stepping Stones of Rockford) expresses gratitude to agency staff involved in the preparation for the ribbon-cutting and Open House and extends thanks to all agency staff who attended the event and/or supported the effort from afar. After all, it was business as usual for most of our amazing staff. Treatment goes on 24 hours a day, ribbon-cutting or not!

If you were in attendance, you know Randy Roberson went above and beyond with the buffet and decorations!

Mental health services are in full swing at the counseling center; in fact, we've already established a waiting list! Thankfully, another counselor has been hired and more are being interviewed. An LPN and telepsychiatrist ensure availability of psychiatric services. We are growing leaps and bounds! Determination to meet the demand for expanded mental health service options in Winnebago County is evident, day in and day out..

If you are an LCSW looking for a new adventure, please contact our Human Resources Department. We seek dedicated professionals to provide counseling across the lifespan, starting at age 6. We'd love to hire an Associate Director of Services as well as several more counselors.

It's no secret that there is such a need for mental health services in our county, especially those receiving Medicaid or are underserved. Stepping Stones Counseling Center is prepared to help fill that void. If attendance at the ribbon-cutting is any indication, we are well on our way to becoming a premier provider of outpatient services!

To learn more about the Stepping Stones Counseling Center or to determine eligibility, please call 779.970.5605. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM.
Please note: we do not take walk-ins nor do we respond to after-hour calls. If this is an emergency, please call 911.

For more information regarding the 1/2 Penny tax to help fund mental health services in the area:
"In the 2020 Winnebago County primary election, there were 43,723 votes cast for the following question: "Do you support raising our community's sales tax one-half cent on a dollar to fund mental health services in our area?" The answer was a resounding... YES! Our community was willing to do something about the mental health crisis right here at home. When you spend two dollars, an additional penny is exclusively earmarked for community mental health and substance use disorder services in Winnebago County. The half-cent tax will raise an estimated 12 to 14 million dollars each year.

Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) was established by county ordinance pursuant to the Illinois Community Mental Health Act, 405ILCS 20/3(a) et.seq. Inaugural board members are Mary Ann Abate, president; Richard (Dick) Kunnert, vice president; the Reverend Doctor K.E. Copeland, treasurer; Danielle Angileri, secretary; and board members Dr. Bill Gorski, Dr. Terry Giardini, Dr. Julie Morris, Linda Sandquist, and Tim Nabors. Wendy Larson Bennett and Jay Ware are advisors to the board. WCCMHB meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 2 pm. If you would like to sign up for public comment, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least 2 hours in advance of any scheduled meeting. You will be given up to three minutes to make your comments. For requests for accommodations, contact Jason Holcomb, Director of Community Impact at Region 1 Planning Council. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; phone: (815) 277-1022."

http://r1planning.org/wccmhb