23-05-2025
New program aims to address shortage of mental health providers in Winnebago Co.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford area colleges joined forces to create a new program for college graduates looking to become social workers in the Rockford area.
The program is being funded by a $2 million grant. The grant is being fulfilled through a half-cent sales tax.
The University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rock Valley College, Rockford University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work, Rockford Public Schools 205 and the Boone-Winnebago County Regional Office of Education #4 all have played a part in getting the Social Worker Opportunity Tracks (SWOT) program underway.
'Winnebago County has a shortage of mental health providers, often having 150 or more positions for social workers open,' says Alex Stagnaro-Green, Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford and the principal investigator on the grant. 'SWOT will train individuals committed to becoming social workers in Winnebago County and build opportunities for area students to train and work in the area for years to come.'
SWOT provides multiple pathways for students to get into the world of social work, such as:
Graduates of Rock Valley College with an associate degree are eligible to apply to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work online programs or Rockford University programs to complete a bachelor's in social work while receiving scholarships and other financial and educational support.
Rockford University graduates are eligible to receive financial support and assistance to complete the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign online master's of social work degree.
Winnebago County high school students interested in pursuing a social work degree can enroll in the SWOT Pipeline Track. Following successful completion of the high school component, each student has the option to enroll in either the associate degree program in human services at Rock Valley College or the bachelor's in social work program at Rockford University.
Rock Valley College graduates could either transfer to Rockford University to complete their BSW in person or enroll in the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign online bachelor's in social work. Upon completion of the BSW from either Rockford University or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the student could then enroll in the online MSW program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The SWOT Immediate Track allows staff presently employed by Winnebago County schools with an associate degree to earn a bachelor's degree in social work through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's existing online program or a soon-to-be-developed bachelor's completion program at Rockford University. Those who have a bachelor's degree can complete the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign online master's degree program. Participants can receive tuition reimbursement from their school and continue to work as they earn their social work degree.
Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB) had the half-cent sales tax that is helping fund the program approved by Winnebago County residents in March 2020.
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