Region 53
Mason, Tazewell, Woodford
Region 53 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
Abby Behrens, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Central Region Prevention Specialist
Adam White, City of Delavan, Mayor
Anne Risen, Tazewell Mason County Special Education Association, Early Childhood Program Coordinator
Ashley Fischer, UICOMP, Pediatrician
Brianna Bohm, Little Harvesters Child Care Center, Director/Owner
Britney Logue, Brightpoint, Early Head Start Home Visitor
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
Courtney Prather, Regional Office of Education #53, Literacy Instructional Coach
Dominic Valenti, Chestnut Health Systems, Community Health Specialist
Donna Ashley, Tazewell-Woodford Head Start, Executive Director
Erica Strunk, LIC, Parent Liaison
Gina Cecil, Meridian Health Plan, Community Resource Coordinator
Heather Schichner, SAL Child Care Connection of Central Illinois, Quality Specialist
Jeffrey Inman, Distillery Labs, Director of Programs
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
Nicole Meyers-Bilbrey, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Sarah Mann, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Staci Coussens, University of Illinois Extension, SNAP-Ed Educator
Family Council Members
Abbey Tol, Morton (Tazewell County)
Amber Hayes, Pekin (Tazewell County)
Danielle Gregory, Roanoke (Woodford County)
Devin Henderson, East Peoria (Tazewell County)
Emily Whitmer, Washington (Tazewell County)
Erica Braden, Havana (Mason County)
Faythe Flinn, Havana (Mason County)
Hope Elizabeth Simmons, Eureka (Woodford County)
Jessica Koker, Washington (Tazewell County)
Jessie Arrington, Delavan (Tazewell County)
Jordan Spicklemire, Morton (Tazewell County)
Lainee Nickerson, East Peoria (Tazewell County)
Leah Gray, Washington (Tazewell County)
Nicole Taghan, Washington (Tazewell County)
Rebekah Clark, Eureka (Woodford County)
Tiffany Hutton, Havana (Mason County)
Meet Your Regional 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.