Region 33
Henderson, Knox, Mercer, Warren
In partnership with The Village Early Childhood Collaboration
Region 33 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.
NEW 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.
Action Council Members
Gorette Kupa, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Miranda Gullberg, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative
Amy Fullerton, Regional Office of Education #33, Director of Early Childhood Preschool
Amy Gipe, Regional Office of Education #33, Family Educator Supervisor, Prenatal-3
Anthony Law, Carl Sandburg College, Director of Diversity and Equity
Emily Henry, Regional Office of Education #33, Assistant Director of EC/Preschool
Erin Brown-Powell, Knox County YMCA, Senior Program Director
Jodi Scott, Regional Office of Education #33, Superintendent
Joshua Gibb, Galesburg Community Foundation, CEO
Kathryn Ringberg, OSF Medical Group, Family Nurse Practitioner
Kyle McEwen, Mercer County Better Together, Executive Director
Lisa Medina-Foshay, Regional Office of Education #33, Early Childhood Preschool Behavioral Health Consultant
Malia Owens, Home Child Care Network & Skip-A-Long Community Services, Owner
Michael Levis, CCR&R, CCAP Eligibility Specialist
Pam Gaither, Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Peter Schwartzman, City of Galesburg, Mayor
Rhonda Hillyer, Regional Office of Education #33, EC Community Systems Coordinator
Sabrina Wilson, Eagle View Health Systems, Community Healthcare Worker/Grant Coordinator
Scott Rasso, Galesburg CUSD #205, Coordinator of English Language Learner
Tara Case, Regional Office of Education #33, Director of Family Services Prenatal-3
Family Council Members
David Pagan, Galesburg (Knox County)
Jenny Dowsey, Galesburg (Knox County)
Jessica Alvarado, Galesburg (Knox County)
Jessica Burrell, Carman (Henderson County)
Kimberly Magee-Barton, Galesburg (Knox County)
Leann Courson, Knoxville (Knox County)
Marie Laure Lamare, Galesburg (Knox County)
Tracy Crump, Knoxville (Knox County)
FY24 Action Council Notes
FY24 Workgroup Notes
Meet Your Regional Team!
Roy Van Meter
Roy Van Meter (he/him) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 33. He has passionately championed Illinois children of all ages for over 30 years in the roles of public school teacher and administrator. Through servant leadership and community engagement, he advocates for equity in excellence regardless of zip code. Roy's core belief is “through collaboration WE achieve excellence.”
Roy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Western Illinois University and a Master of Arts in School Improvement Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University. He lives near Galesburg, Illinois and enjoys combining outdoor pursuits with his love for history, cultural travel, and music.
Jim Walters
Jim Walters (he/him) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 33. Jim has been a non-profit professional for 30 years. He has provided direct services to adults with disabilities, survivors of violence, people experiencing homelessness, and families seeking affordable housing. Jim has a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and a master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. He and his family reside in rural Knox county.
Stephanie Burkhardt
Stephanie Burkhardt (she/her) is the Region 33 Administrative Support. Stephanie was born and raised in Illinois. She has over 20 years of experience working in education at Carl Sandburg College as an Office Manager. Prior, she held an Administrative Support position with the local health department for three years. Stephanie has held many roles that enable her to be a vital part of the Birth to Five Illinois Team. She enjoys improving lives through education and community and is excited for this opportunity to increase equity and access for all.
Stephanie has her associate degree from Carl Sandburg College. In her downtime, she enjoys spending as much time with her family as possible.
Contact Roy Van Meter
Please fill out the form below to contact Roy. Your message will go directly to his inbox. You may also reach him at (309) 866-3104.