Region 53
Mason, Tazewell, Woodford
Region 53 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
Abby Behrens, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Central Region Prevention Specialist
Angie Huss, First Baptist Church, Community Outreach Coordinator
Ashley Fischer, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP) , Pediatrician
Beth Beachy, Tazewell County Health Department, Birth to Five Director
Brianna Bohm, Little Harvesters Child Care Center, Owner & Director
Cassy Carey, Illini Central Grade School, Principal
Christopher Heider, Children's Home Association of Illinois, Coordinated Intake Intensive Home Visiting Specialist
Christy Dennison, Children's Home Association of Illinois, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Dominic Valenti, Chestnut Health Systems, Community Health Specialist
Dominica Rogers, OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois, Community Network Anchor Program Coordinator
Erica Strunk, LIC, Parent Liaison
Heather Schichner, SAL Child Care Connection of Central Illinois, Quality Specialist
Jeff Brooks, Pekin Public Library, Director
Jenni Joi Williams, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Julie Dennis, Tazewell-Woodford Head Start, Early Childhood Services Manager
Julie Jackson, Midwest Central CUSD #191, Director of Special Education & Preschool for All
Katherine McKenzie, FamilyCore, Community Based Case Worker, MSSP
Lauren Darko, Brightpoint, Program Manager
Matt Collins, Trillium Place Young Minds Center, Children's Mental Health Grant Project Director
Michelle Peterson, Spark Academy, Owner & Executive Director
Michelle Wood, Heart House, Shelter Program Manager
Rebekah Clark, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Samantha Marsh, Tazewell County Health Department, AOK Coordinator
Staci Coussens, University of Illinois Extension, Community and Economic Development Educator
Family Council Members
Abbey Tol, Morton (Tazewell County)
Danielle Gregory, Roanoke (Woodford County)
Devin Henderson, East Peoria (Tazewell County)
Erica Braden, Havana (Mason County)
Haley Lohman, Pekin (Tazewell County)
Hope Elizabeth Simmons, Eureka (Woodford County)
Jessie Arrington, Delavan (Tazewell County)
Jordan Spicklemire, Morton (Tazewell County)
Kim Montgomery, Pekin (Tazewell County)
Lainee Nickerson, East Peoria (Tazewell County)
Leah Gray, Washington (Tazewell County)
Mikayla Strickland, Havana (Mason County)
Morgan Murphy, Pekin (Tazewell County)
Sarah Mann, East Peoria (Tazewell County)
Susan Haselhoff, Washington (Tazewell County)
Tiffany Hutton, Havana (Mason County)
Meet Your Team!
Felicia Farden
Felicia Farden (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 53. She has spent over eight years advocating in different capacities. As a court advocate for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, Felicia helped a wide variety of clients navigate the legal system during crisis situations. Prior to this experience, her role was home-based as an advocate for her autistic son, Tucker.
Felicia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Illinois State University, majoring in History and minoring in Sociology with an intense focus on Education; historical patterns and their impact on our society fascinate her. Felicia has a passion for learning. She believes every child should be offered the same learning resources that helped pull her family out of poverty.
Felicia has lived in central Illinois her entire life. In her free time, she loves to go boating and glamping with family. Most days, Felicia can be found binge-listening to podcasts or singing car karaoke.
Courtney Long
Courtney Long (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 53. She is a dedicated professional with a passion for Community Systems Development and Early Childhood advocacy. Courtney graduated summa cum laude from Greenville University with a bachelor's degree in Health Psychology. Over the past few years, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing engagement and collaboration within community systems, particularly in connecting services across sectors to address child and family priorities. Her work emphasizes empowering parents and caregivers as active partners in shaping effective support systems.
Based in central Illinois throughout her life, Courtney is committed to fostering an Early Childhood system that prioritizes the well-being of children and families. In her leisure time, she cherishes moments with her husband and three daughters, often enjoying the outdoors, reading, or supporting her daughters in their diverse activities.
Kerry Hickman
Kerry Hickman (she/her) is the Region 53 Administrative Support. Kerry has worked in the social services and nonprofit sectors for the past 20+ years. Most recently, Kerry served as a court advocate for the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Woodford County, where she also worked in the domestic violence shelter. Kerry has dedicated her career to helping families live free from abuse and violence.
Kerry has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rockford University. She is very active and works at the Peoria Riverfront Museum where she likes to be surrounded by beautiful things. In her free time, Kerry likes to spend time with her husband and three dogs. She also has three daughters in college in two different states, who she spends a lot of her free time visiting.
