Region 20
Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White

Region 20 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.

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.

Early Childhood Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health features stories from families and ECEC providers about the challenges and successes they have accessing Mental and Behavioral Health services.

Action Plan Progress features the Region’s top Early Childhood priorities and highlights their goal progress and how to get involved.

Read All Regional Reports

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Action Council Members

  • Alesha Allen, Bela Early Learning Center, Principal

  • Alisa Adams-Miller, Wabash Area Development, Inc. (Community Action Agency), Head Start Director

  • Amanda Weber, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Hamilton and White Counties, Program Director 

  • Chelsee Miller, Walmart, Pharmacist

  • Denise Stricklin, Regional Office of Education #20, Child Find Project Coordinator

  • Jennifer Worthen, Southern 7 Health Department, Health Educator

  • Julia Shelby, Southern 7 Health Department, Associate Site Supervisor

  • Katharine Karns, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Kathy Murphy, Prevention First, Administrator, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs

  • Kristin Stewart, Egyptian Health Department, School Based Counselor, Hamilton Co unit 10

  • Lara Shaw, Hope Haven of Southern Illinois, Executive Director

  • Laura Danko, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Mallory Stendeback, Carmi White County School District #5, Parent Coordinator for Carmi White County School District

  • Milly Pate, Early Intervention, Developmental Therapist

  • Pamela Oliver, Wabash School District #348, Early Childhood Block Grant Coordinator

  • Paula Schnicker-Johnson, Project CHILD, Provider Services Coordinator & Quality Specialist

  • Taylor Bodnar, Albion Community Health Center & CRHPC, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

  • Tracie Griffith, CCRR at John A. Logan College, CCAP Case Manager

Family Council Members

  • Brittany Mitchell, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)

  • Cassidy Brown, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)

  • Erin Rochford, Harrisburg (Saline County)

  • Hannah Hall, Harrisburg (Saline County)

  • Jaylee Boston, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)

  • Jennifer Rister, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)

  • Katie Clayton-Hustedde, Harrisburg (Saline County)

  • Madison Currier, Albion (Edwards County)

  • Maude Harrison, Crossville (White County)

  • Rachel Stone, Eldorado (Saline County)

  • Shelby Goodson, Allendale (Edwards County)

Meet Your Regional Team!

Portrait of Janice Crow, a light skinned person with short wavy brown hair smiling with folded arms from the torso up in front of a brick background. Janice is wearing a red flower embroidered top with a smart watch and black slim eyeglasses.

Janice Crow

Janice Crow (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 20. Janice has been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 40 years. She has served in various capacities including Child Care Worker, Child Care Director, Parent Coordinator for the Pre-K grant, Extraordinary Care Aide, Home Visitor, and Coordinator of the 0-3 Prevention Initiative grant. In addition to her direct work in early childhood, Janice also directed the preschool advisory board. She volunteers in varying roles for her church, serves on the McLeansboro McCoy Memorial Library Board, and has served on several boards specializing in collaborative efforts throughout her community. Janice serves as the Hamilton-Wayne and White Counties Event Coordinator for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Janice joined her husband Robert in marriage in 1984 and together they have been blessed with two children and two grandchildren. She was born and raised in McLeansboro, Illinois, and still resides there today.

 
A headshot of Tracy Adams. Tracy has long blonde curled hair and is smiling. Tracy is wearing an animal printed blouse with a black blazer and silver necklace.

Tracy Adams

Tracy Adams (she/her) is the Family and Community Engagement Specialist for Region 20. As a former Family Resource Developer, she has experience in helping students and families navigate the Mental Health system. She has also worked to connect families with community resources to meet needs and help children thrive. Tracy has two grown children and she and her husband live in her hometown of Galatia.

 
A headshot of Darian Gage. Darian has dark, long hair and is smiling. Darian is wearing a light blue blouse with a black necklace.

Darian Gage

Darian Gage (she/her) is the Region 20 Administrative Support. She has always lived in Southern Illinois. Darian received her bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She has worked primarily in the legal field since graduating and is excited to start her new career path at Birth to Five Illinois. When Darian is not spending time with her family and friends, she can be found either binging a TV series or reading a good book.

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