NICER (Northern Illinois Community Emergency Respite)
City of Rockford
Opened May 2025
Address: 715 W State St, Rockford, IL 61102
Geographic Service Area: Winnebago County, Boone County, DeKalb County
Bed Count: 4
Demographics of Population
Single Adults
All Gender
Facility Configuration
Shared Rooms (2-person max)
Physical Accessibility
N/A
Eligibility
Homeless: Unsheltered/sheltered
Medical: Primary diagnosis is medical with acute need and defined treatment plan
Ineligible/Contraindications
Registered sex offender or arsonist
Suicidal or assault risk
IV Antibiotics
PICC lines
Communicable diseases
Medical Respite Model (National Institute for Medical Respite Care)
Coordinated Care (offsite health services; connection to community behavioral health)
Common Medical Conditions include but are not limited to:
Post hospitalization recovery
Surgical care
Wound care
Medication management
Common Referral Sources or Special Referral Partnerships
UW Health Swedish American Hospital Care
Formal Medical Partnerships
UW Health, Crusader Community Clinic, Rockford Fire Department
Social Services Staffing
Rockford Fire Department Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) provides all social services for the participants. MIH is onsite twice per week to provide follow-up post admission. MIH focuses on securing medication and coordinating transportation to appointments. MIH coordinates medical follow up for medical providers outside of the Crusader network.
Crusader Community Health (CCH) provides Healthcare for the Homeless services for care coordination for physical, dental/eye, and mental health.
Housing Processes
City of Rockford Health & Human Services (HHS) Housing Advocate meets with residents twice per week to enroll in Coordinated Entry, develop a housing plan/housing search, and secure identification and application documents.
Medical Respite Points of Contact
Angie Walker
angie.walker@rockfordil.gov
779-348-7567
Additional Programs
Blessing Hospital Medical Respite Program - The Boulevard - The Bridge - Cornerstone Community Outreach - FranRU - Greater Alton CDC - Helping Hands of Springfield - JOURNEYS - Margarita Inn - The Night Ministry - Pacific Garden Mission - PADS - PASS/Inner Voice Chicago - Project NOW - Respond Now - RISE Center - Sojourner House - Summit Service Center - Take Action Today - WGMC (Will Grundy)
Last Updated: April 30, 2026