Region 50
St. Clair
Region 50 Reports
Early Childhood Regional 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 Education and Care (ECEC) services more accessible and equitable.
Addendum includes additional community feedback captured as our Regional Team and Action and Family Councils shared our initial report’s findings throughout the Region.
Action Plan is a living community document that focuses on the top priorities from our Region’s initial ECEC needs assessment. Council members developed Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals for each recommendation and plans and timelines to fulfill them.
Early Childhood Needs Assessment: Focus on Mental & Behavioral Health features stories from families and ECEC providers about the challenges and successes they have accessing Mental and Behavioral Health services.
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.
Action Plan Progress features the Region’s top Early Childhood priorities and highlights their goal progress and how to get involved.
Action Council Members
Alma Grinston, The Graceful Place to Grow, Owner
Augustine James, Celess Helping Hands NFP, CEO
Bertha Clark, Family Child Care Provider, Owner & Family Life Educator
Candace Wright, Breathe While Parenting, Certified Parent Advocate Coach
Evan Krauss, East Side Aligned, Executive Director
Janice Moenster, Brightpoint, Director of Early Childhood Services & Family Support, Southern Region
Julie Reyna, Puentes De Esperanza of Hoyleton, Bilingual Family & Community Advocate
Julie Shaffer, HSHS St. Elzabeth's Hospital, Registered Nurse
Kimberley Fickinger, Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center, Director of Child & Adolescent Outpatient Services
Lauren Milton, Hawaii Pacific University, Director of Curriculum & Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Lisa Tate, St. Clair Head Start, Assistant Program Director & Center Operations
Makisha Binns, Kiddos Care, Educator
Mia Griffin, Harmony #175, Family Support Specialist
Nicole Pomara, St. Clair County Health Department, Public Health Emergency Response Manager
Nicole Warren, Caregiver Connections & Centerstone & SIUE Head Start, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Rachel Roe, Hoyleton Youth and Family Services, Program Manager over Care Coordination Services
Selina Davis, Special Education Advocate at Trillium Consultancy, Owner
Shamyra Brown, Erikson Institute, Home Visiting Specialist
Stacie Hoover, Executive Director of SMSS, Instructional Coach, Madison County, Founder of Parenting Solutions with Dr. Hoover, and Field Supervisor for McKendree
Taylor Shy, Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center, St. Clair County Coordinator Intake
Tina Herron, United States Postal Service, Mail Carrier
Trena McCoy, Mason's Place Too, Owner & Operator
Wendy Williams, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Head Start State Collaboration Director
Family Council Members
Alicia Gant, East St. Louis (St. Clair County)
Alnette Smith, Swansea (St. Clair County)
Ashlee Whitaker, Belleville (St. Clair County)
Danielle Voelkel, New Athens (St. Clair County)
Fran Solano, Lebanon (St. Clair County)
Greg Evans, Belleville (St. Clair County)
Kayla Carnes, Belleville (St. Clair County)
Madison Hurd, Belleville (St. Clair County)
Megan Mathews, Mascoutah (St. Clair County)
Nicole Green, East St. Louis (St. Clair County)
Robin Jackson, Cahokia (St. Clair County)
Shaquita Marshall, Belleville (St. Clair) County
Tenesha Cooper, O'Fallon (St. Clair County)
Thelma Jenkins, East St. Louis (St. Clair County)
Meet Your Regional Team!
Stephanie Herling
Stephanie Herling (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 50. Stephanie has over 20 years of Early Childhood experience. Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Sociology. Her career has ranged from teaching in child care and preschool programs to professional development and coaching. She is dedicated to ensuring families are connected to the resources in their community. Stephanie also participates on local boards, including the Executive Committee for the Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership and the Executive Board for Brightpoint, and holds professional memberships in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Division for Early Childhood (DEC), Illinois AEYC, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Madeline Graham
Madeline Graham (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 50. Madeline earned a B.S. in Political Science from Missouri State University and an M.A in Middle Eastern Studies from Tel Aviv University in Israel. After moving back to St. Clair County in 2021, she worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), serving the greater St. Louis area. Most recently, she worked for the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education where she collaborated with educators, families, and administrators across the county.
Madeline is excited to work with children and families in her community in St. Clair County. In her free time, she likes to play with her dogs, Billy and Birdie, read, and play pickleball several times per week.
Anne Duncan
Anne Duncan (she/her) is the Region 50 Administrative Support. Anne is a seasoned administrative professional with a strong background in project coordination, executive support, and organizational operations. Her experience spans a diverse background in education, staffing, and business management. She is passionate about serving families and communities, especially through education and access.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois Carbondale. Outside of work, Anne enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring local events, traveling, and getting lost in a good book.