Region 51
Menard, Sangamon
Region 51 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
Amanda Hine, Tri-City Schools, Preschool for All Teacher
Ashley Reynolds, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Chloe Reim, United Way of Central Illinois, Volunteer & Program Coordinator
Christine Hart-Foster, Lincoln Land Child Development Center, Parent Educator
Danyle Watkins, Lincoln Land Community College, Program Coordinator & Early Childhood Education Professor
Debbie Tisckos, Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Director of Maternal & Child Health Services
Dr. Ikenna Martin, Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries, Inc., Director of Youth Services
Dr. Lesa Johnson, University of Illinois at Springfield & St. Paul AME Community Healing Resource Center & Unveiling Black Springfield, Associate Professor of Sociology
Eric Watson, Child Support Services, Assistant Deputy Administrator
Gabriella Botto, Child Advocate
Galia Cossyleon, Springfield Memorial Health, Community Health Coordinator
Jaclyn Robbins, Riverton School District, Families First Birth to Three Program Director
Keesha Readus, Illinois Department of Transportation, Business Intelligence Analyst/IT Project & Administrative Coordinator
Kelly R Hamlin, Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Community Health Worker
Kendra Day, Memorial Behavioral Health, Community Engagement Specialist
Lindsay Wilken, Menard County Housing Authority, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator
Lori Harrison, Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Early Childhood, Bureau Chief of Collaborations & Partnerships
Mary Richards, Early Learning Center, Family & Community Engagement Liaison
Meagan Budke, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Rashonda Andrews, DCFS Early Childhood Project, Developmental/Infant Mental Health Specialist at Erikson Institute
Rosalind Bond, The Springfield Project, Innovation Coordinator
Shelly Roat, University of Illinois at Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children, Core & Connect Care Assistant Director of Operations
Stacie Skelton, University of Illinois Extension, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator
Vanessa Ross, Sylvan Learning Center, Owner
Family Council Members
Amethyst Hamm, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Darius Conley, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Deidra Johnson, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Haley Long, Divernon (Sangamon County)
Hannah Knight, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Heather Parkinson, Auburn (Sangamon County)
Jaleesa Davis, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Jennifer Jones, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Jeremy Bell, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Lauren Mardirosian, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Lissett Felix, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Maddie Atterberry, Petersburg (Menard County)
Gosia Conover, Spaulding (Sangamon County)
Marie Riley, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Samantha Babicky, Buffalo (Sangamon County)
Samantha Hubbard, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Sharon Helms-Commer, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Vyvyan Wesley, Springfield (Sangamon County)
Meet Your Regional Team!
Ashley Earles
Ashley Earles (she/her) is the Regional Council Manger for Region 51. Ashley spent over 10 years in the Early Childhood field teaching in the classroom and providing professional development training to other professionals. One of her proudest moments was receiving the UIC Specialized Care for Children 2017 Champion for Children and Illinois AEYC 2017 Children’s Champion awards. Ashley volunteers for SPARC on their Human Rights Committee, serves as the President of the Tri-City Youth Sports League, and coaches her daughter in softball. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Ashley was born in Naples, Italy, and grew up in Rushville, Illinois; she moved to the Springfield area in 2007. She has been married to her husband, Drew, for 12 years and has two daughters, Ena (10) and Emmie (5). They live on a family farm raising cows, goats, and chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, and cooking with her daughters, while also enjoying Christmas music and movies all year long.
Amanda DeFord
Amanda DeFord (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 51. Her professional journey in the Early Childhood Education and Care field has allowed her to work directly with children, parents and caregivers, and organizations that support and advocate for Early Childhood programs and services, as well as for children and families with special needs. Amanda has played an active role on the Capitol Area Chapter of the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (ILAEYC), the Autism Support of Central Illinois (ASCI) Board of Directors, and various other community organizations.
Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Education. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, Adam; three children, Casey, Colin, and Ireland; and three fur babies. Amanda enjoys a great cup of coffee, live music and theatre, trying new recipes, 90’s music, and going on Jeep adventures with her family.
Amber Walters
Amber Walters (she/her) is the Region 51 Administrative Support. She has 20+ years of experience in the Early Childhood field. She previously worked as a preschool teacher in both public and private schools and a Kindergarten Readiness Coordinator/Home Visitor in Sangamon County. She also served on the Capitol Area Chapter of the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (ILAEYC) board for several years.
Amber has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in Elementary Reading from NOVA Southeastern University. She currently serves on the Springfield Salvation Army Advisory Board. She resides in Springfield with her husband, Adam, and daughter, Addaley. She enjoys baking, swimming, boating, and time with family and friends.
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Community Resources
Recommendation 3 in the Region 51 Action Plan is to, “Launch a 211 campaign through United Way that includes social media, community outreach, and enrollment in the 211 system.” Click below to watch the testimonial videos in support of this effort!
Please Contact Us with any questions about this resource. Thanks!