School leaders in Rockford are calling on Winnebago County officials to bolster mental health support across the community, seeking additional funding from the county’s mental health tax to expand services and resources.
In 2019, Winnebago County established the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board alongside a half-percent mental health sales tax. This initiative, aimed at addressing the county’s mental health challenges, generates an estimated $15 million annually, earmarked for mental health services across the region.
Now, local advocates are urging county leaders to direct a portion of this funding toward expanding mental health services, with a particular focus on community outreach. Keishona Williamson, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Kikifer’s Entrepreneurial Academy, a private school in Rockford, has been vocal about the urgent need for greater investment.
“It’s absolutely urgent,” Williamson said. “If we want to see change in Winnebago County, in our community, then we need to fund it now.”
Kikifer’s Entrepreneurial Academy, a Black-led organization, is requesting funding from the county’s mental health sales tax to support its ongoing efforts in addressing mental health challenges within the community. If granted, the funding would make Kikifer’s Academy the first Black-led organization to receive support from the mental health board since its inception.
Williamson hopes that securing this funding will allow the school to expand its mentorship and mental health programming, which currently serves students, to the broader community. “Not everyone has a formal diagnosis,” Williamson explained. “Some of us are simply coping with trauma, and we need someone to talk to, mentorship, and resources to help us navigate that trauma.”
School leaders and other advocates plan to attend the upcoming Winnebago County Board meeting on Thursday, where the board is expected to vote on whether to approve the requested funding. The outcome of this vote could determine the future of mental health services in the community, especially for underserved populations.
As the county faces increasing calls for more comprehensive mental health support, advocates are hopeful that the board will prioritize expanding access to resources for all residents, regardless of their background or diagnosis.
