Region 12
Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland

Region 12 Reports

Early Childhood Regional 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 Education and Care (ECEC) services more accessible and equitable.

Addendum includes additional community feedback captured as our Regional Team and Action and Family Councils shared our initial report’s findings throughout the Region.

NEW Action Plan is a living community document that focuses on the top priorities from our Region’s initial ECEC needs assessment. Council members developed Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals for each recommendation and plans and timelines to fulfill them.

a map of Illinois with Region 12 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Samantha Weidner, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

  • Angela Newlin, Hope and Healing Counseling, Therapist 

  • Arieanna Walker, Bridgeport Grade School, Pre-K Teacher 

  • Beth Lindemann, Kids Kingdom, Teacher 

  • Christina Staley, Kids Kingdom, Owner & Director 

  • Courtney Hatcher, CCR&R Project CHILD, Quality Specialist  

  • Hope Dennis, University of Illinois Extension, SNAP Educator 

  • Jamia Joyce, Community Support Systems Inc., Early Intervention Specialist 

  • Jill Young, Crawford Clark Prevention Initiative (CCPI), Parent Advocate 

  • Liesl Wingert, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Rural Health Project Coordinator 

  • Mary Roy, Regional Office of Education #12, Pre-K Teacher 

  • Nicole Gardewine, Head Start, Family Advocate 

  • Resa Shaner, Crawford County Development Association, Executive Director 

  • Roger Eddy, Olney Central College, Interim President 

Family Council Members

  • April Walls, Robinson (Crawford County) 

  • Brandi Foster, Olney (Richland County) 

  • Emily Gullett, Robinson (Crawford County)

  • Kendra Tohill, Flat Rock (Crawford County) 

  • Kimberly Williams, Lawrenceville (Lawrence County) 

  • Melinda Evans, Robinson (Crawford County) 

  • Sandra Hyde, Robinson (Crawford County) 

  • Sara Farmer, Olney (Richland County) 

  • Sarah Adams, Robinson (Crawford County) 

  • Whisper Shick, Lawrenceville (Lawrence County) 

Meet Your Regional Team!

Ann Oswalt

Ann Oswalt (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 12. She has worked in and around early childhood for the past 30 years. Previously, Ann was a paraprofessional and teacher for Head Start, a home visitor for a Prevention Initiative program, a Family Advocate, and most recently, the Director of a Preschool for All program.

Ann is an active volunteer with multiple community organizations. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University and holds a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Administration from National Louis University. Ann lives in Robinson, Illinois with her husband and teenager. 

 
Picture of Donna Rardin, a light skinned person with short blonde wavy hair smiling from the chest up. Donna is wearing a black top in front of a brown wooden bookcase.

Donna Rardin

Donna Rardin (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 12. Donna has more than 20 years of experience in early childhood, serving in several capacities. She has worked as a Children’s Librarian and Program Director, a substitute teacher, a paraprofessional, and most recently as a Family Advocate for a Preschool For All Program. Donna has served her community as the Executive Director of the Crawford County Youth Alliance and as Program Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Crawford County. Donna holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. She and her husband have a blended family of four adult children, four significant others, and one grandchild between them. She likes to paint, ride her bike, and travel the United States in search for the perfect plate of nachos.

 

Bethany Bateman

Bethany Bateman (she/her) is the Administrative Support for Region 12. She was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She has an extensive history in business, managing movie theaters for 10 years. She comes to Birth to Five with lots of customer service and project management experience. After majoring in electronic communications in college, Bethany spent several years working at a summer camp and conference center in Michigan, and volunteered at a school in rural Kenya, helping to create and organize a new school library.

Bethany resides in Hutsonville and loves video editing, reading, watercolor painting, and traveling. She is excited to get to know her community better and work together for increased equity and access for everyone.

Contact Ann Oswalt

Please fill out the form below to contact Ann. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 270-5241.