Region 28
Bureau, Henry, Stark

Region 28 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.

NEW 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.

a map of Illinois with Region 28 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Brittany Littrel, EveryChild Safe from the Start, Director

  • Carissa Conley, Tri County Opportunities Council, Outreach Worker

  • Erin Hanna, Alternatives, Program Director

  • Felicia Tegeler, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • John Kilburg, CCR&R, Infant Toddler Consultant

  • Juana Ponce, Abilities Plus, Children's Services Program Coordinator

  • Julia Massingill, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Kelly Kessel, Princeton Elementary School District, Preschool For All Grant Supervisor

  • Kimberly Dahl, Society of Growth Inc. NFP, COO and Co-Founder

  • Leeann Tessier, Project Now Head Start, Family Service Worker

  • Lindsey Woerle, Regional Office of Education #28, Parents as Teachers PI Coordinator

  • Rosa Rushing, Braveheart, Forensic Interviewer

  • Sarah Mosier, Early Intervention, Therapist

  • Sydney Williams, Safe Families for Children, Intake Coordinator

  • Traci Owens, SAL Early Head Start, Child Care Partnership Director

Family Council Members

  • Alexandria Ator, Colona (Henry County)

  • Amber Hegwood, Orion (Henry County)

  • Anna Elliott, Bradford (Stark County)

  • Anthony Rushing, Kewanee (Henry County)

  • Ariel Swanson, Princeton (Bureau County)

  • Emily Rorem, Wyoming (Stark County)

  • Felisha Rogers, Kewanee (Henry County)

  • Gina L Medley, Alpha (Henry County)

  • Katelyn Camp, Atkinson (Henry County)

  • Lorelei Blancher, Kewanee (Henry County)

  • Rachel Rumbold VanHollebeke, East Moline (Henry County)

  • Stacy Widuch, Princeton (Bureau County)

Meet Your Regional Team!

Dianna Saelens

Dianna Saelens (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 28. Dianna has worked in the Early Childhood field since 1998, serving as a classroom assistant, teacher, director, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) consultant, Preschool For All (PFA) and Prevention Initiative (PI) program coordinator, and adjunct professor. Dianna has a MA in Early Childhood Advocacy and is currently pursuing an Ed. S degree in Educational Leadership. Her employment passions include enhancing the quality of programming for our State's youngest students and empowering program staff to seek the recognition they deserve as educators. Dianna grew up in Geneseo, Illinois and currently resides in Coal Valley with her fur babies.

 

Samantha Piske

Samantha Piske (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 28. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Samantha worked in the Criminal Justice/Social Services field for 10+ years. She previously served as a probation officer with Henry County; a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Investigator serving Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island counties; and a caseworker at the Unemployment Office in Rock Island. In these roles, she has become familiar with her community and has assisted individuals from all backgrounds in overcoming challenging obstacles in their lives. She values working directly with her community to build upon the resources and needs of families.

Samantha was born and raised in Wisconsin but has resided in Henry County for the last 10 years. In her free time, you will find her spending time with her daughter, going for a run, baking, and watching Brewers, Packers, or Badger games.

 

Quinn Trader

Quinn Trader (she/her) is the Region 28 Administrative Support. Born and raised in rural Illinois, Quinn traveled to the University of Mississippi to obtain her undergraduate degree in Political Science. While studying in Mississippi, Quinn was given opportunities to volunteer at multiple child-centered nonprofits. Quinn worked as a paralegal for four years, gaining valuable data and administrative experience. She is excited to work again with an organization that focuses on children and families.

In Quinn’s downtime, she enjoys playing with her dog, Toph, and creating new things on her pottery wheel.

Contact Dianna Saelens

Please fill out the form below to contact Dianna. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 393-2536.