Region 45
Monroe, Randolph

Quick Links

• Region 45 Media Coverage

• Region 45 Facebook Group

• View Regional Data Report

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• Brittany Rongey, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

• Natalie Kawalec, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

• Anne Riley, Human Support Services, Executive Director 

• Ashley Schanks, AMS Speech Therapy, PC, Owner 

• Aubrey ORiley, Innovations Early Childhood Center, Director & Owner 

• Christina Herrmann, Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director 

• Gina Haberl, Bright Beginnings Developmental Therapy, Developmental Therapist 

• Lauri Koen, Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council, Director 

• Melissa Duncan, Randolph County Birth to Three, Preventative Initiative Home Visitor 

• Rachel Marshall, Birth to Three, Prevent Initiative Administrator 

• Rebekah Hillerman, Regional Office of Education #45, English Second Language & GED Coordinator 

• Richelle Metz, Bluffview Elementary School, Teacher 

• SuzAnne Kollmann, Children's Home + Aid, Subsidy Manager 

• Tara Knop, Retired, Early Childhood Block Grant Administrator 

• Trisha Hildreth, Brightpoint, Supervisor 

Family Council Members  

• Brandy Muertz, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

• Christy Gardner, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

• Erica McKinney, Rockwood (Randolph County) 

• Gennifer Luberda, Maeystown (Monroe County) 

• Jennifer Hollowell, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

• Jessica Brafford, Hecker (Monroe County) 

• Jessica Kelly, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

• Jessica Stanford, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

• Jessie Valleroy, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

• Rachel Carpio, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

• Stephanie Hanner, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

• Teagan Gross, Hecker (Monroe County) 

• Tia Martel, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

FY24 Action Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (January 25, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (December 14, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (November 14, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (October 9, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (September 22, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (August 10, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (July 27, 2023)

FY24 Workgroup Notes

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (January 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (November 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (October 23, 2023)

FY24 Family Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (January 29, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (December 13, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (November 8, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (October 9, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (September 20, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (August 24, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (July 19, 2023)

Candace Gardner

Candace Gardner (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 45. Candace has developed a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector. For the past five years, she has served on the Gala Committee Counsel for Human Support Services and is on the Board of Directors for Monroe County Drug Coalition. 

Candace has resided in Monroe County her entire life. She worked as the Executive Director of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for two and a half years as a key representative and advocate for business owners and employers in her community. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Informational Technology from University of Phoenix. Candace worked at various consulting firms and then United States Steel for six years as a Programming Engineer III. When Candace isn’t working hard, you’ll find her supporting her very busy three daughters in the many sports and activities they are involved in or enjoying the outdoors.

Molly Krebel

Molly Krebel (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 45. Molly grew up in Waterloo, Illinois, where she continues to live and raise her family. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Barnes-Jewish Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. In her 10+ years as a nurse, she has worked in trauma, labor and delivery, and, most recently, as a private nurse to a young 12- year-old boy with a life-altering diagnosis. 

As the mother of two daughters with special needs, Molly’s personal journey has made her a fierce advocate dedicated to empowering parents and families with the support and resources they need to navigate the medical and social spectrum. Working alongside pediatricians, early interventionists, schools, and caregivers, she believes in helping parents advocate for themselves and their families. Molly currently serves on the Board Membership Committee and the Gala Council for Human Support Services in Monroe County. She spends her spare time reading, running, and caring for her three wonderful children along with her husband, Nathan.

Jessica Schloemann

Jessica Schloemann (she/her) is the Region 45 Administration Support. Jessica’s work history includes over seven years of administrative support at an elementary school where she worked closely with faculty, staff, parents, and students. She also comes to Birth to Five Illinois with lots of clerical and customer service experience. Jessica loves working with others and is excited to start this new journey helping her community.

Jessica has her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Illinois College. She lives in Ruma with her husband and two children. She and her husband spend most of their free time at their children’s sporting events and hanging out with friends and family whenever they can.