In collaboration with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. will conduct a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for our new ten-bed Group Home located at 1480 Stony Creek Way, Rockford, Illinois 61108 at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.Opening remarks will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by an opportunity to tour the home. The event is expected to be concluded at 12:00 p.m.
In addition to Caitlin Pusateri, COO with the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Stepping Stones CEO Sue Schroeder and Board President Joe Clinton III are expected to be joined for the Ribbon Cutting by Rockford Mayor Thomas McNamara, State Senator Steve Stadelman, Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) President Mary Ann Aabte, representatives from Schmeling Construction Company, Larson & Darby Group- Architecture Engineering Interiors, Hinshaw and NAMI Northern Illinois and other elected officials.
About the new Group Home: This new Group Home is the first newly built facility for adults with serious mental illnesses in Winnebago County. This fully accessible home will have 8,707 square feet and a fixed capacity to serve ten adults. There will be shared common areas such as the living room and kitchen. Each resident will have their own bedroom. The goal is for residents to begin occupying the home in the beginning of 2026.
The Group Home will be fully supervised and operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff will include a master's level Rehabilitation Supervisor, a Program Manager, Mental Health Professionals and Rehabilitative Services Aides. Residents will have access to other staff at the organization for educational and pre-vocational services, nursing and psychiatric medication prescribing. Services at the home will include; case management, finance management, skill teaching in a variety of daily living skills, individualized treatment planning, counseling, family participation, community support and integration, transportation assistance, crisis intervention when needed and transition and discharge planning. Services are prioritized for those who are eligible for Medicaid.
Susan Schroeder, LCSW and CEO of Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. said about the Group Home: "I am proud to be opening this beautiful home. It represents the value our community has placed on adults in need of residential mental health care. One of the most important decisions to be made by individuals with serious mental illness and their families is where the person will live. We can now make that decision easier for ten additional adults and their families. We have operated Group Homes for over 50 years and I expect this home will be here for those in need for many years to come. We are grateful to State Senator Steve Stadelman for sponsoring the bill that authorized the ½ cent sales tax to expand mental health and substance abuse services in Winnebago County, the bill's approval by voters and the creation of the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board. Our Board of Directors' vision, the talented project designers and builders, and a generous grant from the WCCMHB have made this Group Home a reality."
Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. is a private 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit organization that provides mental health services to children, youth and adults with a mission dedicated to Improving lives one step at a time. To schedule an assessment, make a referral or learn more about Stepping Stones, please call 815-963-0683 or visit https://steppingstonesrockford.org.