Region 30
Alexander, Jackson, Perry, Pulaski, Union

Quick Links

• Region 30 Media Coverage

• Region 30 Facebook Group

• View Regional Data Report

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• NaTasha Hubbard, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

• Sheridan Johnson, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

• Cindy Rice, Southern Seven Health Department, Director 

• Colleen McLaughlin, Partnership for Resilience & Yellow Brick Road Learning Adventures, Director 

• Denise Henry, Starnet, Director 

• Dona Middleton, Southern Seven Head Start, Site Supervisor 

• Kathy Swafford, Anna Rural Health & Southern Illinois University School Medicine, Pediatrician 

• Keeshia Carr, Family Child Care, Owner 

• Kim McCombs, Two Rivers Child Advocacy Center, Executive Director 

• Lindsay Baskin, Child & Family Connections, Archway Inc., Director 

• Lori Longueville, Southern Illinois Coalition for Children and Families, Community Systems Coordinator 

• M Stalls, Jackson County Precinct, Committee Person 

• Mikayla Wade, Little Resource Center of Carbondale, Postpartum Educator 

• Natalie Juhl, First Baptist Preschool, Director and Teacher 

• Patty Davis, Southern Illinois University, Child Development Laboratory, Lead Teacher 

• Sandy Snowden, Carbondale High Scool, Operation Rebound 

• Sheryl Houston, Family Child Care, Owner 

• Tangela Oliver, Business Community, Owner 

• Tracie Griffith, John A Logan College CCR&R, CCAP Case Manager 

• Van Ikner, Business Community, Owner

Family Council Members

• Alessandra Nicholson, Carbondale (Jackson County) 

• Amanda Sullivan, Carbondale (Jackson County) 

• Barbara McElmurry, Pulaski (Pulaski County) 

• Breanna Kobus, Ava (Jackson County) 

• Breanna Puckett-Woods, Cairo (Alexander County) 

• DeAnna Davis, Pulaski (Pulaski County) 

• Denasha Oliver, Murphysboro (Jackson County) 

• Jacey Caudle, Grand Chain (Pulaski County) 

• Keosha Engram, Cairo (Alexander County) 

• Kimberly Myers, Carbondale (Union County) 

• Micole Larry, Pulaski (Pulaski County) 

• Sarah Inboden, Carbondale (Jackson County)

• Sonya Clark, Carbondale (Jackson County) 

• Sydney Pollard, Mounds (Pulaski County) 

• Victoria Taylor, Carbondale (Jackson County) 

FY24 Action Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (January 11, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (December 12, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (September 7, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (August 3, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (July 6, 2023)

FY24 Workgroup Notes

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (November 14, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (November 13, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (November 9, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (October 17, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (October 16, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (October 12, 2023)

FY24 Family Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (January 16, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (September 12, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (July 11, 2023)

Zena Madison

Zena Madison (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 30. She is passionate about children and people. Throughout her 27 years in education, she has encouraged dreams and given hope while working with teachers, parents, and students to make a lasting impact. As an elementary school teacher and an administrator, Zena has seen first-hand how patience, care, and communication can help children grow and succeed.

Zena obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Education Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She also obtained a Master of Arts in Education Administration and a Specialist in Education Superintendent license from McKendree University in Lebanon.

Zena established Breaking the Cycle EBU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. She grew up in Cairo, Illinois and currently lives in Mounds with her husband of 33 years. They are proud parents of four and grandparents of 17.

Linda Roberson Poindexter

Linda Roberson Poindexter (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 30. She is passionate about education, family, and the diversity of families, as she is from a family of eleven children. Throughout her seven years of experience in the mental health field, Linda has encouraged parents to pursue their GED and push toward secondary education as a means of family improvement. As a former Family Advocate, she has experience working with teachers, parents, and children, mainly DCFS-involved children between the ages of 5-17.  

Linda obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Professional Human Services, Health and Wellness from Liberty University. A natural caregiver, Linda also helps seniors with daily living; this was her passion for many years as she took care of her elderly parents. Linda is now the proud parent of one daughter and the proud grandparent of two beautiful grandchildren. Linda spends weekends with her daughter and her family, enjoys reading anything interesting, and shopping.   

Akemi Walker

Akemi Walker (she/her) is the Region 30 Administrative Support. Akemi is from Lima, Peru, and moved to the United States to attend college in Florida. Akemi has a passion for serving others and has extensive experience in customer service, administration, and finance. Most recently, she worked as a bookkeeper for four schools at Milwaukee.  

Akemi has two children and resides in Murphysboro. She is a proud baseball and dance mom. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors.