Region 11
Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Shelby
Region 11 Reports
2023 Early Childhood Needs Assessment highlights data and stories from community members across the Region and includes strengths, family- and community-identified needs, and recommendations for how to make our local Early Childhood services more accessible.
2023 Addendum includes additional community feedback captured as our Team and Action and Family Councils shared the initial report’s findings throughout the Region.
2024 Action Plan is a living community document that focuses on the top priorities from our Region’s initial Early Childhood needs assessment. Council members developed Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals for each recommendation and plans and timelines to fulfill them.
2024 Early Childhood Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health features stories from families and Early Childhood providers about the challenges and successes they have accessing Mental and Behavioral Health services.
2025 Action Plan Progress features the Region’s top Early Childhood priorities and highlights their goal progress and how to get involved.
2026 Changes in Early Childhood report highlights major changes in our Region’s Early Childhood and Mental and Behavioral Health programs, and spotlights Birth to Five Illinois’ most significant progress.
Action Council Members
Abbey Horn, Edgar County Public Health Department, Assistant Administrator
Blair Dosch, Regional Office of Education #11, McKinney- Vento Liaison Attendance Specialist
Cari Shepherd, Salvation Army, Envoy and Corps Administrator
Dani Prince, Eastern Illinois University Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), Child Care Referral Specialist
Erika Hollis, Paris Union District #95, Preschool for All/Preschool for All-Expansion Instructional Leader & Coach
Hunter Trussell, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Jennifer Smith, Eastern Illinois University, Director of Compliance
Katrina Farris, Mattoon School District, Director of Early Childhood
Kimberly Cullen, Safe Families for Children, Director
Krista Taylor, PreVail, Director
Kristin Davis, Family Guidance Center, Substance Use Prevention Integration Coordinator
Logan Stutesman, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Maggie Burkhead, TRIO Student Support Services, Program Director
Melissa Krieger, Empower Academy, Owner
Mikki Biggs, Eastern Illinois University, Professor
Racheal Chumbley, Casey ERBA Head Start, Family Advocate
Savannah Meers, Department of Child & Family Services, Foster Care Licensing Representative
Stepheny McMahon, Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, Director
Tisha Gatson, Brightpoint, Healthy Families Program Director
Family Council Members
Abby Boerner, Marshall (Clark County)
Abigail DeBuhr, Mattoon (Coles County)
Alexandria Henningsen, Toledo (Cumberland County)
Amanda Harvey, Charleston (Coles County)
Erin Sexson, Charleston (Coles County)
Heather Tingley, Marshall (Clark County)
Jaclyn Strohm Marshall (Clark County)
Janel Fulk, Villa Grove (Douglas County)
Jessica Summar, Arcola (Douglas County)
Kirsten DeBord, Paris (Edgar County)
Melinda Michels, Paris (Edgar County)
Samantha Elliott, Paris (Edgar County)
Taylor Jones, Shelbyville (Shelby County)
Tayza Conine, Charleston (Coles County)
Meet Your Team!
Angie Hunt
Angie Hunt (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 11. She has 35 years of experience in human services, working primarily with adults and children who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. Throughout those years, she has had the honor of providing anti-violence education in schools and throughout the community, as well as at the state level. Angie has sat on several boards and committees over the years, including the Eastern Illinois University (EIU) Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Committee, the EIU Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee, the South Central Illinois Continuum of Care Board of Directors, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s IL Peer-to-Peer Planning Committee, and the Workforce Development Area #23 Board.
A graduate of EIU, Angie’s passions include helping to create an equitable world for all kids, her own two grandchildren, and the three dogs who run her life.
Ty Patterson
Ty Patterson (he/they) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 11. Driven by a deep commitment to systemic change, Ty focuses on the unique community conditions that shape child development, particularly within rural areas. He began his career managing youth programming at the YMCA before stepping into crisis intervention across East Central Illinois. In that high-impact role, he bridged critical gaps between families, schools, healthcare providers, and social service agencies. A Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), Ty integrates his academic background in behavioral health and sociology into a practice rooted in active listening and community-driven solutions. He believes true progress happens when relationships are built on trust and collaboration. Outside of his professional advocacy, Ty is an active organizer in the Mattoon-Charleston music scene, where he dedicates his time to creating welcoming spaces for local musicians and community members to connect.
Ashlee Lovett
Ashlee Lovett (she/her) is the Region 11 Administrative Support. She is passionate about building strong communities and connecting people with the resources they need to thrive. With a background in Psychology from Lake Land College, she combines professional knowledge with her personal experience as a mom of three. Ashlee understands the importance of support systems and uses her skills in leadership, organization, and problem-solving to help families and individuals find solutions that fit their needs. At home, she loves spending time with her children and their dog, Cooper.