Birth to Five Illinois
Statewide Family Leadership Council

Expanding Parent Influence from Region to State

Since the launch of Birth to Five Illinois, families across the State have been sharing their stories and providing valuable feedback as members of our Birth to Five Illinois Councils. These dedicated parents and caregivers came together in each of the 39 Regions to discuss their perspectives and firsthand experiences with Early Childhood services in their communities.

Birth to Five Illinois is launching a Statewide Family Leadership Council, comprised of Family Council alumni who have served for three years in their respective Regions. In this role, past Council members will continue to offer their perspectives as direct users of Illinois’ Early Childhood services and help Birth to Five Illinois improve its family and community engagement efforts across the State.

The Council will meet every other month, beginning in September 2025. Members can serve for one year and are paid a stipend for their time and expertise. In addition, members of this Statewide Council will be offered opportunities to participate in other state level activities, which may include:

Feedback on public facing communication materials
Co-leading parent focus groups/Parent Cafes
Writing or providing quotes for articles
Participating in panel discussions
Joining interviews with press
Other opportunities as developed by the Statewide Family Leadership Council members

Congratulations & Welcome to Our FY26 Members

Birth to Five Illinois is proud to introduce the inaugural Statewide Family Leadership Council members, representing 28 of Illinois’ 39 Regions! We appreciate them lending their time, knowledge, and perspective to the goals of Birth to Five Illinois.  

Map of IL with the Regions with membership representation highlighted in blue.

Region 1-A: Alisa Radcliffe, Roseland (Cook County)
Region 1-B-B: Jukselin Nuñez, Northlake (Cook County)
Region 1-B-C: Simone Gatlin, Oak Lawn (Cook County)
Region 3: Meghan Rewers, Effingham (Effingham County)
Region 8: Lauren Dick, Lena (Stephenson County)
Region 12: Samantha Weidner, Louisville (Clay County)
Region 13: Hannah Raney, Woodlawn (Jefferson County)
Region 19: Kimberly Choate, Downers Grove (DuPage County)
Region 20: Christy Vaughan, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)
Region 21: Emily Crowell, West Frankfort (Franklin County)
Region 24: Michelle Lynn Strom, Plano (Kendall County)
Region 26: Kelly Nelson, Macomb (McDonough County)
Region 28: Emily Rorem, Wyoming (Stark County)
Region 30: Sheridan Johnson Sr., Carbondale (Jackson County)
Region 31: LuAnna Handley, Aurora (Kane County)
Region 32: Ali Denault, Bourbonnais (Kankakee County)
Region 33: Marie Laure Lamare, Galesburg (Knox County)
Region 39: Sammantha Barrera, Decatur (Macon County)
Region 40: Kelly Ballard, Roodhouse (Greene County)
Region 41: Dawna Miller, Highland (Madison County)
Region 45: Brittany Rongey, Waterloo (Monroe County)
Region 47: Candace Antczak, Mount Morris (Ogle County)
Region 48: Kerishena Deal, Peoria (Peoria County)
Region 50: Katie Manno, Belleville (St. Clair County)
Region 51: LeAnn Bell, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Region 53: Allisa List, Mason City (Mason County)
Region 54: Tateana Bailey, Danville (Vermilion County)
Region 56: Krista Escamillo, Plainfield (Will County)

Why They Were Excited to Join This New Council

A quote from a Council member inside a speech bubble.

Members in Action

Photo of Statewide Family Leadership Council members during a virtual meeting.

Comité Estatal de Liderazgo Familiar de Birth to Five Illinois

Ampliando la Influencia de los Padres de
la Región al Estado

Desde el lanzamiento de Birth to Five Illinois, familias de todo el estado han estado compartiendo sus historias y brindando comentarios valiosos como miembros de nuestros Comités de Birth to Five Illinois. Estos padres y cuidadores dedicados se reunieron en cada una de sus 39 regiones para discutir sus perspectivas y experiencias de primera mano con los servicios de primera infancia en sus comunidades.

Birth to Five Illinois está lanzando un Comité Estatal de Liderazgo Familiar, compuesto por exalumnos del Comité Familiar que han prestado servicios durante tres años en sus respectivas regiones. En esta función, los antiguos miembros del Comité seguirán ofreciendo sus puntos de vista como usuarios directos de los servicios para la primera infancia de Illinois y ayudarán a Birth to Five Illinois a mejorar sus esfuerzos de participación familiar y comunitaria en todo el estado.

El Comité se reunirá caca dos meses, a partir de septiembre de 2025. Los miembros pueden ejercer sus funciones durante un año y reciben una remuneración por su tiempo y experiencia. Además, a los miembros de este Comité Estatal se les ofrecerán oportunidades para participar en otras actividades a nivel estatal, que pueden incluir:

Comentarios sobre los materiales de comunicación dirigidos al público.
Codirección de grupos de enfoque para padres/cafés para padres.
Redacción o proporcionar frases para artículos.
Participación en paneles de debate.
Unirse a entrevistas con la prensa.
Otras oportunidades desarrolladas por los miembros del Comité Estatal de Liderazgo Familiar.

Felicitaciones y Bienvenida a Nuestros Miembros del Año Fiscal 2026

Birth to Five Illinois se enorgullece de presentar a los miembros inaugurales del Comité Estatal de Liderazgo Familiar, que representan a 28 de las 39 regiones de Illinois. Agradecemos su tiempo, conocimiento y perspectiva para contribuir a los objetivos de Birth to Five Illinois.