Region 28
Bureau, Henry, Stark

Region 28 Reports

Using a Collective Impact Model, between September 2022 and June 2023, we led our Action and Family Councils through data discussions to identify gaps and barriers for children and families. We coordinated focus groups, interviews, and surveys to gather input from community members across the Region. We are eager to share with you our key findings, regional strengths, family- and community-identified needs, and recommendations for how to make our Region’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs more accessible and equitable to children, families, and ECEC providers.

Recognizing we could not talk with every community member in the Region prior to completing our report, this summer and fall our Team worked with our Action and Family Councils to share the report’s findings throughout the Region, keeping with our mission to capture as much input as possible. Additional community feedback has been captured in the Addendum file below, released in November 2023.

a map of Illinois with Region 28 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Amanda Brown, Colona Public Library, Children's Librarian 

  • Angie Zarvell, Regional Office of Education #28, Superintendent 

  • Audrey Aden, Black Hawk College, Child Development Mentor 

  • Jocelyn Salazar, Youth Services Bureau, Hispanic Services 

  • Kelly Kessel, Parents as Teachers, Supervisor 

  • Leeann Tessier, Project Now, Family Service Worker 

  • Lindsey Woerle, Parents as Teachers, Coordinator 

  • Goldie West, CCR&R of Midwestern Illinois, Infant Toddler Consultant

  • Ruth Yarian, Early Head Start, Program Coordinator 

  • Sarah Mosier, Geneseo School District, PreK Parent Coordinator

  • Sarah Hoffert, Tri-County Opportunities Council, Enrollment & Transportation Coordinator 

  • Taylor Louscher, University of Illinois-Extension, SNAP Education Coordinator 

Family Council Members

  • Alexandria Ator, Colona (Henry County) 

  • Amber Hegwood, Colona (Henry County) 

  • Emily Rorem, Wyoming (Stark County) 

  • Julia Massingill, Atkinson (Henry County) 

  • Katelyn Camp, Atkinson (Henry County) 

  • Katlyn Parsons, Orion  (Henry County) 

  • Lannie Newberry, Princeton (Bureau County) 

  • Linnea Anderson Guither, Walnut (Bureau County) 

  • Lorelei Blaucher, Kewanee (Henry County) 

  • Nicki Sellon, Kewanee (Henry County) 

  • Rachel Rumbold VanHollebeke, Annawan (Henry County) 

  • Stacy Widuch, Princeton (Bureau County) 

  • Tara Gottwalt, Geneseo (Henry County) 

Meet Your Regional Team!

Dianna Saelens

Dianna Saelens (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 28. Dianna has worked in the early childhood field since 1998, serving as a classroom assistant, teacher, director, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) consultant, and adjunct professor. Dianna most recently served as the Preschool For All Parent Coordinator for the Rock Island-Milan School District. She has an MA in Early Childhood Advocacy and is currently pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Northern Iowa. Her employment passions include enhancing the quality of programming for our State's youngest students and empowering program staff to seek the recognition they deserve as educators. Dianna grew up in Geneseo, Illinois and currently resides in Coal Valley with her three fur babies.

 

Samantha Piske

Samantha Piske (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 28. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Samantha worked in the Criminal Justice/Social Services field for 10+ years. She previously served as a probation officer with Henry County; a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Investigator serving Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island counties; and a caseworker at the Unemployment Office in Rock Island. In these roles, she has become familiar with her community and has assisted individuals from all backgrounds in overcoming challenging obstacles in their lives. She looks forward to continuing to work directly with her community to build upon the resources and needs of families. 

Samantha was born and raised in Wisconsin but has resided in Henry County for the last 10 years. In her free time, you will find her spending time with her daughter, going for a run, baking, and watching Brewers, Packers, or Badger games. 

 

Quinn Trader

Quinn Trader (she/her) is the Region 28 Administrative Support. Born and raised in rural Illinois, Quinn traveled to the University of Mississippi to obtain her undergraduate degree in Political Science. While studying in Mississippi, Quinn was given opportunities to volunteer at multiple child-centered nonprofits. Quinn worked as a paralegal for four years, gaining valuable data and administrative experience. She is excited for the opportunity to work again with an organization that focuses on children and families.  

In Quinn’s downtime, she enjoys playing with her dog, Toph, and creates new things on her pottery wheel.  

Contact Dianna Saelens

Please fill out the form below to contact Dianna. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 393-2536.