ROCKFORD – Following a competitive application process, the Winnebago County Health Department has been chosen to receive a Health Equity Zone grant to support its efforts to improve health outcomes for Rockford residents, thanks to funding secured by State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“Early intervention for mental health conditions and fighting stigma is essential if we are to successfully mitigate the mental health crisis many people in our community are experiencing,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “This funding will allow the Winnebago County Health Department to address these root causes, resulting in improved health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.”

Health Equity Zone grants – made possible by funding Stadelman strongly supported in last year’s state budget – invest in programs designed to reverse historic health disparities in Illinois communities. The program is part of the Healthy Illinois 2028 state health improvement plan and state health assessment, which are multi-step plans designed to address root causes of public health crises, including underinvestment, inaccessibility of care, and racism towards prospective patients.

The Winnebago County Health Department has been awarded $118,000 in HEZ grant funding to expand its Community of Concern workgroup. This workgroup addresses health disparities around mental and behavioral health impacting a vulnerable community area in Rockford. With this funding, the COC will work to improve mental health through prevention and early intervention, including improving access to self-care, decreasing stigma associated with mental health conditions, and building community resilience.

“We are excited for the opportunity to address mental and behavioral health through a public health lens and improve health equity in our community,” said Dr. Sandra Martell, public health administrator for the Winnebago County Health Department.

To learn more about HEZ grants, click here.