Region 53
Mason, Tazewell, Woodford

Quick Links

• Region 53 Media Coverage

• Region 53 Facebook Group

• View Regional Data Report

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• Nicole Meyers-Bilbrey, Pekin, Parent/Family Member Representative 

• Amy Sloan-Gray, Children's Home and Aid Early Head Start, Program Manager 

• Brenda Smith, SAL Family and Community Services, Director 

• Courtney Long, Tazewell County Health Department AOK, Coordinator 

• Donna Ashley, Tazewell-Woodford Head Start, Director 

• Douglas Bury, City of Delavan, Ward 3 Alderman 

• Heather Schichner, SAL Child Care Connection, Quality Specialist 

• Lynn Burgett, The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning, Program Manager 

• Michelle States, Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Adoption Conversion Specialist 

• Phyllis Bliven, Illini Central School District Preschool for All, Teacher 

• Staci Coussens, University of Illinois-Extension, SNAP Educator 

• Stephanie Howerter, Spoon River College, Havana Center Director 

Family Council Members

• Allisa List, Mason City (Mason County) 

• Ashley Berlett, Germantown Hills (Woodford County) 

• Ashley Walls, Pekin (Tazewell County) 

• Christina Hutter, Pekin (Tazewell County) 

• Irene Diep, Washington (Tazewell County) 

• Julie Swoik, Pekin (Tazewell County) 

• Katie Oliger, East Peoria (Tazewell County) 

• Meredith Kerley, Marquette Heights (Tazewell County)

• Sicily Cotelleso, East Peoria (Tazewell County)

FY24 Action Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (September 21, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Action Council (August 17, 2023)

FY24 Workgroup Notes

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (January 11, 2024)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (December 7, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (November 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (October 23, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Workgroup (September 26, 2023)

FY24 Family Council Notes

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (September 19, 2023)

• Meeting Notes: Family Council (August 22, 2023)

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.

Britney Logue

Britney Logue (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 53. Britney has been in the human services field for the past 18 years. She volunteered through high school in a child care program and later began working for the Peoria YMCA as a camp counselor and aftercare teacher. After college, she went on to become a Family Advocate for a Head Start preschool in Kentucky, where she provided aid to families by utilizing community resources. Most recently, Britney was employed with the Center for Prevention of Abuse as a Court Advocate in Tazewell County, and as a Prevention Educator, helping clients and children to live free from violence and abuse. 

Britney obtained her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Illinois State University, during which she interned at Lutheran Social Services in the foster care and adoption programs. Britney has a passion for helping all populations receive the care and resources they deserve. Britney was born and raised in central Illinois. She currently lives in Morton with her husband, Aaron, and their three daughters, Brynlee (8), Alina (6), and Briar (1). In her free time, Britney enjoys working out, running, playing with her daughters, and going on dates with her husband.  

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.