Region 12
Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland

Region 12 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.

a map of Illinois with Region 12 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Andra Freeman, Clay County Health Department, Home Visitor

  • Angela Newlin, Hope and Healing Counseling, Licensed Professional Counselor

  • Anita Cohoon, ERBA Head Start, Family Advocate

  • Beth Lindemann, Kids Kingdom, Teacher

  • Courtney Hatcher, Flora Community Unit School District #35 CCR&R-Project CHILD, Recruitment/Quality Specialist

  • Holly O'Brien, Illinois Eastern Community College, Student Mental & Physical Health Advocate

  • Jamia Joyce, Community Support Systems Inc., Service Coordinator

  • Jeremy Brush, Regional Office of Education #12, Regional Superintendent

  • Liesl Wingert, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Program Coordinator - East Region

  • Natalie Kizzire, Flora Community Schools, Parent Educator/Supervisor

  • Renee Angle, Family Child Care Provider, Owner & Operator

  • Roger Eddy, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Director of Special Projects

  • Sadie Ruholl, Meraki, Therapy Technician

  • Samantha Weidner, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Teresa Smith, ERBA Head Start, Education & Disabilities Manager

  • Whisper Shick, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

Family Council Members

  • Amy Shelton, Robinson (Crawford County)

  • April Carruthers, Flora (Clay County)

  • Ashley Mercier, Newton (Jasper County)

  • Ashlie Zwilling, Olney (Richland County)

  • Brandy Deaton, Lawrenceville (Lawrence County)

  • Emily Gullett, Robinson (Crawford County)

  • Jenniferjo Rodriguez-Collazo, Lawrenceville (Lawrence County)

  • Kendra Tohill, Flat Rock (Crawford County)

  • Kimberly Williams, Lawrenceville (Lawrence County)

  • Melinda Evans, Robinson (Crawford County)

  • Sandra Hyde, Robinson (Crawford County)

  • Sara Farmer, Olney (Richland County)

  • Toree Goodwin, Olney (Richland County)

  • Will Bledsoe, Lawrenceville (Lawrence County)

Meet Your Regional Team!

A headshot of Ann Oswalt. Ann has medium length reddish brown hair and is smiling. Ann is wearing eyeglasses, a blue and white striped shirt, and a silver necklace.

Ann Oswalt

Ann Oswalt (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 12. She has worked in and around Early Childhood for the past 30 years. Previously, Ann was a paraprofessional and teacher for Head Start, a home visitor for a Prevention Initiative program, a Family Advocate, and most recently, the Director of a Preschool for All program.

Ann is an active volunteer with multiple community organizations. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University and holds a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Administration from National Louis University. Ann lives in Robinson, Illinois, with her family.

 
A headshot of Donna Rardin. Donna has short light brown hair and is smiling. Donna is wearing a black and white patterned top with a black sweater on top.

Donna Rardin

Donna Rardin (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 12. Donna has more than 20 years of experience in Early Childhood, serving in several capacities. She has worked as a Children’s Librarian and Program Director, a substitute teacher, a paraprofessional, and most recently as a Family Advocate for a Preschool For All Program. Donna has served her community as the Executive Director of the Crawford County Youth Alliance and as Program Coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Crawford County. Donna holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. She and her husband have a blended family of four adult children, four significant others, and one grandchild between them. She likes to paint, ride her bike, and travel the United States in search for the perfect plate of nachos.

 

Bethany Bateman

Bethany Bateman (she/her) is the Region 12 Administrative Support. She was born and raised in Chicago, IL. She has an extensive history in business, managing movie theaters for 10 years. She comes to Birth to Five with lots of customer service and project management experience. After majoring in electronic communications in college, Bethany spent several years working at a summer camp and conference center in Michigan, and volunteered at a school in rural Kenya, helping to create and organize a new school library.

Bethany resides in Hutsonville and loves video editing, reading, watercolor painting, and traveling. She is excited to get to know her community better and work together for increased equity and access for everyone.

Contact Ann Oswalt

Please fill out the form below to contact Ann. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 270-5241.