Region 39
Macon, Piatt


Region 39 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.



Action Council Members

  • Angel Lawrence, Northeast Community Fund, Executive Director

  • Brenda Eastham, Child Care Resource Service, Director

  • CaSandra Blockton, Macon County CASA, Program Manager

  • Cherri Johnson, Love, Learning, Laughter, Owner

  • Jacquelynn Rose, Argenta-Oreana Elementary School, Principal

  • Jacqui Smith, Decatur Day Care Center, Executive Director

  • James Keith, United Way, Director of Community Impact

  • Jill Collins, Deland Weldon Grade School, Principal

  • Julie Howard, Empowerment Opportunity Center, Family Service Manager

  • Karen House, Macon County Health Dept, iGrow/MIECHV Coordinated Intake Worker

  • Mary Garrison, Heritage Behavioral Health Center, President & CEO

  • Megan Broderick, Richland Community College, Program Director Early Childhood Education

  • Megan Meyrick, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Myranda Kralman, Decatur Illinois, Family Engagement Manager

  • Ruth Dendariarena, Decatur Public Schools & CHICO, Lead Parent Educator & CHICO Representative

  • Sarah Smith, Regional Office of Educaiton #39, Professional Development and Coaching Specialist

  • Shayla Fountain, Monticello CUSD #25, Interventionist

  • Simone Houston Moore, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Tiffany Wetzel, Macon County Health Department, MIECHV/HFI Program Manager

Family Council Members

  • Amber Williams Larkins, Mount Zion (Macon County)

  • Bethany Force, Forsyth (Macon County)

  • Carmen E Turnbough, Monticello (Piatt County)

  • Delilah Horne, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Joshua Smith, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Kathleen Triplett-Levitt, Bement (Piatt County)

  • Kristy Rodriguez, Forsyth (Macon County)

  • Paege Maltby, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Rickia Allston, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Rosaly Davila, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Samantha Sears, Deland (Piatt County)

  • Sammantha Barrera, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Shanel Ivy, Decatur (Macon County)

  • Staci Smith, Cerro Gordo (Piatt County)

  • Tanya Venegas, Monticello (Piatt County)

  • Tiffany Miller, Cerro Gordo (Piatt County)

  • Vanessa Winters-Hoffman, Monticello (Piatt County)

  • Whitney Phillips, Mansfield (Piatt County)


Meet Your Regional Team!

Portrait of Heather Seitz, a light skinned person with long golden blonde hair smiling from the chest up. Heather is wearing a white blouse with a black sweater on top with gold hooped earrings.

Heather Seitz

Heather Seitz (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 39. She has been working in the Early Childhood field for over ten years. Starting at Baby TALK in Decatur, Illinois, Heather worked as a teacher/home visitor, Education Manager, and Child Development/Head Start Director. Most recently, she worked as a Child Development Associate (CDA) Specialist and Head Start Review Consultant. Heather has a passion for supporting families and promoting quality in Early Childhood Education.

Heather received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Millikin University. She is married and has three children. In her spare time, Heather and her family enjoy boating, traveling, and home renovations.

 
Headshot of Kim Dye. Kim has shoulder length dark hair and is wearing a blue top with white/red patterns.

Kim Dye

Kim Dye (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 39. She joins Birth to Five Illinois with more than 25 years of experience in the human services, healthcare, and education sectors. Kim has been committed to supporting and empowering families throughout her professional career and is a strong advocate for increasing access to high-quality educational opportunities for all children. Kim has worked directly with children and families in a Preschool For All (PFA) program, provided services as a Home Visitor/Parent Educator through Prevention Initiative, and served as a liaison between physicians and patients in a Certified Medical Assistant position. Most recently, Kim spent eight years as a Parent Educator for Pershing Early Learning Programs in Decatur Public Schools.

A native of North Carolina, Kim has lived in Illinois for more than 20 years. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from North Carolina State University and later attended Parkland College to obtain a Certification in Medical Assisting. Kim and her husband are parents to two daughters, a son, and a Golden Retriever, and have one granddaughter. Kim enjoys spending time with family, cooking, home improvements, and watching basketball.

 
Headshot of Christina Pyles. Christina has straight brown hair and is wearing a white and black patterned shirt with a silver necklace.

Christina Pyles

Christina Pyles (she/her) is the Region 39 Administrative Support. She grew up in Decatur, Illinois and recently lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama for three years. Christina earned her associate in arts degree in psychology. She has an extensive history in public safety, namely corrections, and most recently in emergency dispatch. Christina has experience in research and obtaining information for data entry and submittal. She is very active in the Down Syndrome community, with Early Intervention programs, and utilizes many local resources in and around Macon County due to her daughter having Down Syndrome. Christina has been active in the Special Olympics community and will soon begin volunteering for equestrian therapy where her daughter takes lessons.

Christina recently moved back to the Mt Zion area with her two children. They enjoy time outside, swimming, biking, and going to local events. She is very excited to work in the community and looks forward to bringing more resources to the area.


Contact Heather Seitz

Please fill out the form below to contact Heather. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 393-2540.