Region 47
Lee, Ogle, Whiteside

 
 

Region 47 Reports

Using a Collective Impact Model, between September 2022 and June 2023, we led our Action and Family Councils through data discussions to identify gaps and barriers for children and families. We coordinated focus groups, interviews, and surveys to gather input from community members across the Region. We are eager to share with you our key findings, regional strengths, family- and community-identified needs, and recommendations for how to make our Region’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) programs more accessible and equitable to children, families, and ECEC providers.

Recognizing we could not talk with every community member in the Region prior to completing our report, this summer and fall our Team worked with our Action and Family Councils to share the report’s findings throughout the Region, keeping with our mission to capture as much input as possible. Additional community feedback has been captured in the Addendum file below, released in November 2023.

a map of Illinois with Region 47 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Alison Vrana, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

  • Jessica Higgins, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Linda LeBlanc-Parks, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

  • Andrea Cossey, 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care, Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant 

  • Anji Garza, Regional Office of Education #47, Director of Professional Development and Grant Services 

  • Beth Smaka, Sauk Valley Community College, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education 

  • Daniel Swihart, Open Door Community Church, Pastor 

  • Diana Merdian, City of Sterling, Mayor  

  • Diane Lynn Ott, Family Child Care Provider, Owner 

  • Kris Noble, Sauk Valley Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director 

  • Krista Peterson, Regional Office of Education #47, Assistant Director of Professional Learning & Sauk Valley STARS 

  • Laura Moreno, Sauk Valley Community College, Adult Literacy Coordinator 

  • Lois Meisenheimer, Regional Office of Education #47, Early Childhood Programs Coordinator & Sauk Valley STARS Chair 

  • Maggie Fern, 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care, Recruitment, Retention, Referral and Outreach Specialist 

  • Monica Wolfley, Dixon School District, Parent Coordinator & Program Coordinator Preschool for All  

  • Nicole Bleuer, Sinnissippi Centers, Healthy Families Illinois Program Supervisor 

  • Rachael DeSpain, Tri-County Opportunities Council Head Start, Program Director 

  • Stacie McCullough, Dixon Preschool for All, Teacher 

Family Council Members

  • Amanda Troye, Dixon (Lee County) 

  • Ashley Dagg, Creston (Ogle County) 

  • Brittany Howard, Albany (Whiteside County) 

  • Candace Antczak, Mount Morris (Ogle County) 

  • Charis Allen, Rock Falls (Whiteside County) 

  • Elizabeth Reynolds, Rochelle (Ogle County) 

  • Kelley Connell, Stillman Valley (Ogle County) 

  • Maggie LaFever, Dixon (Lee County) 

  • Marie Monaco, Polo (Ogle County) 

Meet Your Regional Team!

Picture of Abby Hoskins, a light skinned person with long blonde hair smiling from the chest up. Abby is wearing a black top with white polka dots.

Abby Hoskins

Abby Hoskins (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 47. She has worked in early childhood for over 15 years in various settings, including in the classroom as a Quality Specialist for the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency and most recently 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. In addition to her professional experiences, early childhood is near to her heart because she is the mother of a soon-to-be kindergartener. Along with her daughter, husband, and dog, Abby enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, and in the outdoors.

 
Photo of Stephanie King, a light skinned person with short blonde hair smiling from the chest up. Stephanie is wearing a black sweater.

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 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.

Contact Abby Hoskins

Please fill out the form below to contact Abby. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 393-2541.