Region 3
Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery

Region 3 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.

Mental & Behavioral Health Addendum includes new information about the available Mental and Behavioral Health resources shared by caregivers, Early Childhood professionals, and community members after the release of our initial report.

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

a map of Illinois with 5 Region 3 counties highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Beth Stundon, Unit 40 School District & Griffin Therapeutic Solutions, School Social Worker & Therapist

  • Coral Christian, Regional Office of Education #3, Family Support Specialist

  • Meghan Rewers, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Niki Moranville, CEFS Head Start, Family Advocate

  • Shannon Gelsinger, Sunny Days Childcare and Learning Center, Owner

  • Shawna Sprague, Evans Public Library, Children and Teen Librarian

  • Suzi Kollmann, Brightpoint, CCAP Manager

Family Council Members

  • Abbe Stevenson, Litchfield (Montgomery County)

  • Alice Hulvey, Greenville (Bond County)

  • Brandy Kelley, Effingham (Effingham County)

  • Destiny Kurilo, Saint Elmo (Fayette County)

  • Heather Smoot, Butler (Montgomery County)

  • Heidi Mose, Effingham (Effingham County)

  • Kim Yount, Vandalia (Fayette County)

Meet Your Regional Team!

Picture of Betheny Hall, a light skinned person with red hair smiling at the camera with teeth showing. Betheny is wearing colorful glasses, hoop earrings, and a black tank top.

Betheny Hall

Betheny Hall (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 3. She has been working in the Early Childhood field for over 20 years, mostly in Head Start as a classroom teacher, an education specialist, and then in the supervisor position of Education Manager. She has extensive experience leading professional development workshops and training for Early Childhood professionals. Betheny holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University, and a master’s degree in English as a Second Language Instruction from Greenville University.

Betheny resides in Marion County with her husband and three boys. When she is not cheering on her kids at sporting events, she loves to watch University of Alabama football games with them. Betheny loves to travel to new places and try the local cuisine. She is an avid reader, especially mystery, suspense, and true crime series.

 
Photo of Heather Nah, a light skinned person with long wavy brown hair smiling from the chest up. Heather is wearing a burgundy top in front of a white speckled wall.

Heather Nah

Heather Nah (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 3. She worked in the foster care system for seven years and is passionate about advocating for children and families to set them up for success. She earned a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences: Family Services, and a minor in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. Heather lives with her husband in Effingham and enjoys spending time with her family, eating chocolate chip cookies, and relaxing with her puppies.

 
A headshot of Elizabeth Stewart. Elizabeth has long wavy red brown hair and is smiling. Elizabeth is wearing black eyeglasses in front of a black patterned blurred background.

Elizabeth Stewart

Elizabeth Stewart (she/her) is the Region 3 Administrative Support. She has prior experience supporting operational needs for various industries. Elizabeth earned her bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature with a specialization in Professional Writing and has a minor in African American familial studies. She networks with parents of children with special needs and has an interest in helping provide local families with necessary resources. Elizabeth and her son are from Coffeen. They enjoy baking bread, gardening, and spending time with their family.

Contact Region 3

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