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.
Action Council Members
Adrienne Wright, CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation, RSVP Specialist
Ashley Berry, Regional Office of Education #3, Home Visitor
Beth Stundon, Unit #40 School District & Griffin Therapeutic Solutions, School Social Worker & Therapist
Celeste Stombaugh, Effingham Unit #40 Schools, Guidance Counselor (Central)
Charliene Millburg, Parent/Family Member Representative
Emily Davis, Regional Office of Education #3, Family Support Specialist
Jamie Nichols, Project CHILD, Infant Toddler Specialist
Kayla Schumacher, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Kelly Buscher, Effingham County Case Management, Case Manager
Maria Deaconescu, Effingham County Case Management, Case Manager
Niki Moranville, CEFS Head Start, Family Advocate
Shawna Sprague, Evans Public Library, Children & Teen Librarian
Shayna Thacker, Sunshine Behavioral Health, Director of Human Resources Operations
Suzi Kollmann, Brightpoint, CCAP Manager
Family Council Members
Brandy Kelley, Effingham (Effingham County)
Casey Brown, Coffeen (Montgomery County)
Destiny Kurilo, Saint Elmo (Fayette County)
Heather Smoot, Butler (Montgomery County)
Heidi Mose, Effingham (Effingham County)
Kayla Ellis, Altamont (Effingham County)
Kim Yount, Vandalia (Fayette County)
Rachel Falter, Taylor Springs (Montgomery County)
Ranota VanDyke, Butler (Montgomery County)
Samantha Hill, Greenville (Bond County)
Meet Your Regional Team!
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.
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.
