Region 3
Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery
Region 3 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.
2024 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.
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
Charliene Millburg, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Emily Davis, Regional Office of Education #3, Family Support Specialist
Heather Grupe , Treehouse Too Day Care, Director
Jamie Nichols, Project CHILD, Infant Toddler Specialist
Kayla Schumacher, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Keith Powell, Safe Families for Children, Southern Illinois Director
Kelly Buscher, Effingham County Case Management, Case Manager
Lauren Raymond, Effingham County Health Department, Family Services Program Specialist
Laurie Schneck, Bond County Project Parenting, Instructional Leader & Supervisor
Marci Gutierrez, Coffeen Early Childhood Center, Principal
Maria Deaconescu, Effingham County Case Management, Case Manager
Meghan Maretti, Hillsboro Community Child Development Center (HCCDC), Director
Michelle Barber, Stopping Women Abuse Now (SWAN) , Caregiver Advisor
Niki Moranville, CEFS Head Start, Family Advocate
Samantha Landrus, Transformation Church, Lead Pastor
Shawna Sprague, Evans Public Library, Children & Teen Librarian
Suzi Kollmann, Brightpoint, CCAP Manager
Tammy Steiner, Greenville Crisis Nursery, Executive Director
Family Council Members
Alyssa Page, Greenville (Bond County)
Ashley Faulkner, Taylorville (Christian County)
Brielle Cormier Effingham (Effingham County)
Clayton Conine, Greenville (Bond County)
Heather Smoot, Butler (Montgomery County)
James Yount, Vandalia (Fayette County)
Kayla Ellis, Altamont (Effingham County)
Kelcie Beccue, Effingham (Effingham County)
Mandy Ocepek, Pocahontas (Bond County)
Maria Estrada, Effingham (Effingham County)
Ranota VanDyke, Butler (Montgomery County)
Serena Saunders, Altamont (Effingham County)
Shelby Funneman, Edgewood (Effingham County)
Victoria Hall, Taylorville (Christian County)
Meet Your Regional Team!
Heather Nah
Heather Nah (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 3. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Family Services, along with a minor in Sociology, from Eastern Illinois University. Heather worked in foster care for several years before joining Birth to Five Illinois as a Family & Community Engagement Specialist. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and baking all things sourdough.
Selina Davis
Selina Davis (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 3. She is an experienced administrative and public service professional with a strong background in local government, social services, and Early Childhood programs. Originally from California, Selina moved to Illinois in 2024 to be closer to her service-connected family. She is a proud Navy mom, special education advocate, and the mother of three adult children and two grandchildren. Her previous roles include work with the St. Clair County Probation Department, serving on Birth to Five Illinois: Region 50’s Action Council, and holding administrative and paraprofessional positions with Riverside County agencies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management and will soon hold a Master of Arts in Management.
Selina's commitment to Early Childhood work is deeply personal. As the mother of a son on the autism spectrum with multiple comorbidities since birth, she has spent decades navigating systems of care and services with extensive barriers that many families face. Her lived experience fuels her belief in equitable early intervention and drives her passion for supporting Region 3 families.
Laia Klein
Laia Klein (she/her) is the Region 3 Administrative Support. Born and raised in Illinois, she brings a strong connection to the communities she serves. With a background in psychology, human resource management, and child and family work, Laia has built her career around communication, organization, and supporting others. Her experience spans behavioral health, developmental support, community engagement, and small‑business leadership, giving her a well‑rounded foundation in relationship‑building and collaborative problem‑solving. Laia enjoys reading, crafting, spending time with family, and learning new things.
