Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children
MERIT Symposium 2026
October 23, 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
UIC Rockford Campus
Address
1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford, IL 61107
Cost
Free
Calendar
Download iCal File
UIC MERIT presents the Protecting Innocence Symposium 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford's Medical Evaluation and Response Initiative Team (MERIT) doesn't just provide clinical support to abused children of the community; it also educates the community to ensure safety for all. Plan to attend this multidisciplinary symposium focused on preventing abuse and strengthening systems that safeguard children.
Hosted by the Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team (MERIT) at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Protecting Innocence 2026: Strengthening Systems to Protect Children is a multidisciplinary symposium dedicated to advancing child safety through prevention, collaboration, and accountability.
Children are safest when families, organizations, communities, and systems work together. This year's symposium brings together national experts to examine how child-serving professionals can strengthen prevention efforts, recognize and respond to abuse and exploitation, support disclosure, and foster safer environments for children.
Through presentations addressing family strengthening, child sexual abuse, online exploitation and sextortion, grooming behaviors, and organizational safeguards, participants will gain practical knowledge and a broader understanding of the shared responsibility required to protect children and promote their well-being.
Professionals who work with children and families, including physicians, mental health professionals, educators, school personnel, law enforcement, social workers, child advocacy professionals, multidisciplinary team members and representatives from child-serving organizations are invited to attend this year’s event. University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford students, residents, staff and faculty are also invited to participate. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of how we can strengthen systems, enhance collaboration, and work together to protect children.
Learning objectives:
- Analyze the role of prevention, family strengthening, and systems collaboration in protecting children and promoting family well-being.
- Identify indicators of child abuse, grooming, sexual exploitation, and barriers to disclosure that impact child safety and outcomes.
- Evaluate opportunities to strengthen organizational, community, and system-level approaches to preventing child maltreatment and exploitation and promoting child safety.
Schedule (Tentative):
8-8:40 a.m.: Registration and coffee service
9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Presentations
12:20 p.m.: Lunch & Networking
Continuing Medical Education and Continuing Education Units
The University of Illinois College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Illinois College of Medicine designates this Live activity for a maximum of 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
6 CEUs available for Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists and Nurses courtesy of Rosecrance Behavioral Health. MTUs available for law enforcement. They will be provided through Northern Illinois Training Advisory Board (NITAB).
Be sure to register by October 9, 2026.
Date posted
Jul 20, 2026
Date updated
Aug 13, 2026
Speakers
Melissa Box, LCSW, MPH | Deputy Director | Division of Prevention, Community Connection and Intact Family Services for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services
Patricia Lewis, ESQ | Chief Executive Officer | Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children
Dana Miller | Associate | National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisc.
