Region 47
Lee, Ogle, Whiteside
In partnership with Sauk Valley STARS Early Childhood Education Coalition
Region 47 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
Amanda Wike, Dixon Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Ashley Teel, Regional Office of Education #47, Early Childhood Coach
Cassie Buhlig, First Baptist Church of Dixon, Associate Pastor
Gabrielle Brunner, Regional Office of Education #8 & Child and Family Connections #3, Local Interagency Coordinator
Gwen Strum BSN, RN, IBCLC, OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center, Lactation Consultant
Kerrie Winge, Tri-County Opportunities Council Head Start, Family Community Service Manager
Kery Calderon, Sauk Valley Community College/Sterling Public Library, Adult Education Office Administrative/Librarian & Clerk
Krista Peterson, Regional Office of Education #47, Assistant Director of Professional Learning & Sauk Valley STARS
Liz Hiemstra, Ogle County Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director
Lois Meisenheimer, Regional Office of Education #47, Early Childhood Programs Coordinator & Sauk Valley STARS Chair
Maggie Fern, 4-C (Community Coordinated Child Care) , Recruitment and Retention Coordinator
Mali Mills, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Mary Toth, Sterling Police Department, Community Service Officer
Megan Stinson, Parents as Teachers, Parent Educator
Mimi White, CGH Medical Center Helping Hands Daycare, Director
Nicole Bleuer, Sinnissippi Centers, Healthy Families Illinois Program Manager
Piper Grazulis, Office of State Representative Bradley Fritts (IL-74), Deputy Chief of Staff
Rose Beausoleil, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Stephanie Ranz, Sauk Valley Speech Therapy, PLLC., Owner & Speech Language Pathologist
Vanessa Wessels, Thriveworks Consulting, Owner
Family Council Members
Abbie Ingram, Sterling (Whiteside County)
Abby Antczak, Oregon (Ogle County)
Ana Jozefowicz, Rochelle (Ogle County)
Brinkli Arjes, Dixon (Lee County)
Brittany Rubio, Byron (Ogle County)
Colette Mabrey, Creston (Ogle County)
Hannah Miller-Hosseini, Byron (Ogle County)
Jonathan Gerdes, Dixon (Lee County)
Karen Jacobs, Sterling (Whiteside County)
Kourtnee Mezo, Amboy (Lee County)
Melanie Long, Dixon (Lee County)
Richard Nelson, Polo (Ogle County)
Sarah Schulfer-Popp, Rochelle (Ogle County)
Taylor Howard, Sterling (Whiteside County)
Tristan F.
Meet Your Regional Team!
Abby Hoskins
Abby Hoskins (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 47. She has worked in Early Childhood for many years in various settings, including in the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency and as the Executive Director of a nonprofit child care center. Abby has experience working with both center and home-based providers and with school districts/Preschool For All programs. She has served on various Early Childhood committees and collaborations in both urban and rural communities. Her previous experience has allowed her the opportunity to work and build relationships with children, parents, and providers from diverse backgrounds.
Abby obtained her master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in Family and Child Studies. She also has bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Human Development. Along with her daughter, husband, and dog, Abby enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, and in the outdoors.
Stephanie King
Stephanie King (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 47. She has worked in Early Childhood for the last 16 years in many different capacities and is passionate about advocating for children and their families. Stephanie received a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood: Child and Family Services from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She resides in Ogle County with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, baking, listening to music, and shopping.
Ashley Meline
Ashley Meline (she/her) is the Administrative Support for Region 47. She has a strong background in administrative support roles in both the private and non-profit sectors. Raised in Byron, Ashley is familiar with the communities of Region 47. She graduated from Byron High School before attending Michigan State University (MSU) where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Pre-law and Psychology. After graduating from MSU, Ashley worked in various administrative support roles. She is a mother to three children who are currently in the local school system. After one year of substitute teaching, Ashley realized her passion for Early Childhood programs. She is a lover of nature, travel, and animals.
