Region 20
Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White
Region 20 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
Alesha Allen, Harrisburg School District #3, Bulldog Early Learning Academy Principal
Briana Lytle, Hamilton County Unit #10 School District, Paraprofessional
Chelsee Miller, Walmart, Pharmacist
Deidra Traylor, Hamilton County Unit #10, Prevention Initiative Coordinator
Denise Stricklin, Regional Office of Education #20, Child Find Project Coordinator
Joyce Bechtel, Joyce Bechtel Counseling, Owner & Counselor
Kathy Murphy, Prevention First, Administrator of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs
Lara Bishop, Wabash Area Development, Inc., Family Engagement & Professional Development Lead
Lara Shaw, Hope Haven of Southern Illinois, Executive Director & Youth Mental Health Clinician & QMHP
Laura Danko, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Maude Harrison, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Melissa Walker, Southern Seven Health Department, Head Start Site Supervisor & Parent Coordinator
Mildred 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
Samantha Winnier, Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center, Family Peer Support Specialist and Doula
Scott Kiser, Illinois Baptist Children's Home & Family Services, Pathways Counseling Manager
Tyler Dowd, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) at John A. Logan College, CCAP Case Manager
Family Council Members
Brianna Braden, Harrisburg (Saline County)
Brittany Mitchell, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)
Hannah Hall, Harrisburg (Saline County)
Hannah Stotz, Eldorado (Saline County)
Jamie Vineyard, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)
Jennifer Rister, McLeansboro (Hamilton County)
Katie Clayton-Hustedde, Harrisburg (Saline County)
Madison Currier, Olney (Edwards County)
Madison Smith, Bluford (Wayne County)
Nicolle Alcordo, Elizabethtown (Hardin County)
Rachel Stone, Eldorado (Saline County)
Meet Your Regional Team!
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.
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.
Darian Kiefer
Darian Kiefer (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.