Region 45
Monroe, Randolph

Region 45 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.

a map of Illinois with Region 45 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Brittany Rongey, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

  • Natalie Kawalec, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative 

  • Anne Riley, Human Support Services, Executive Director 

  • Ashley Schanks, AMS Speech Therapy, PC, Owner 

  • Aubrey ORiley, Innovations Early Childhood Center, Director & Owner 

  • Christina Herrmann, Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director 

  • Gina Haberl, Bright Beginnings Developmental Therapy, Developmental Therapist 

  • Lauri Koen, Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council, Director 

  • Melissa Duncan, Randolph County Birth to Three, Preventative Initiative Home Visitor 

  • Rachel Marshall, Birth to Three, Prevent Initiative Administrator 

  • Rebekah Hillerman, Regional Office of Education #45, English Second Language & GED Coordinator 

  • Richelle Metz, Bluffview Elementary School, Teacher 

  • SuzAnne Kollmann, Children's Home + Aid, Subsidy Manager 

  • Tara Knop, Retired, Early Childhood Block Grant Administrator 

  • Trisha Hildreth, Brightpoint, Supervisor 

Family Council Members  

  • Brandy Muertz, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

  • Christy Gardner, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

  • Gennifer Luberda, Maeystown (Monroe County) 

  • Jennifer Hollowell, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

  • Jessica Brafford, Hecker (Monroe County) 

  • Jessica Kelly, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

  • Jessica Stanford, Waterloo (Monroe County) 

  • Jessie Valleroy, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

  • Rachel Carpio, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

  • Stephanie Hanner, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

  • Teagan Gross, Hecker (Monroe County) 

  • Tia Martel, Red Bud (Randolph County) 

 
 

Meet Your Regional Team!

Picture of Candace Gardner, a light skinned person with long blonde hair smiling from the torso up. Candace is wearing a black ruffle blouse with small hoop earrings.

Candace Gardner

Candace Gardner (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 45. Candace has developed a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector. For the past five years, she has served on the Gala Committee Counsel for Human Support Services and is on the Board of Directors for Monroe County Drug Coalition. 

Candace has resided in Monroe County her entire life. She worked as the Executive Director of the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for two and a half years as a key representative and advocate for business owners and employers in her community. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Informational Technology from University of Phoenix. Candace worked at various consulting firms and then United States Steel for six years as a Programming Engineer III. When Candace isn’t working hard, you’ll find her supporting her very busy three daughters in the many sports and activities they are involved in or enjoying the outdoors.

 
A headshot of Sarah Frank. Sarah has medium length wavy blonde hair and is smiling. Sarah is wearing earrings and a black blouse.

Sarah Frank

Sarah Frank (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 45. Sarah attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale where she received a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Sarah worked for Trinity Services, Inc. for over 10 years as a Behavior Therapist and as the Associate Director for their Community Day Services which serves adults with developmental disabilities. 

Sarah is married to her husband Josh and together they have three children, two girls and one boy who keep them very busy. Sarah loves any time that is spent with her family and friends, preferably boating or on a beach somewhere.

 

Jessica Schloemann

Jessica Schloemann (she/her) is the Region 45 Administration Support. Jessica’s work history includes over seven years of administrative support at an elementary school where she worked closely with faculty, staff, parents, and students. She also comes to Birth to Five Illinois with lots of clerical and customer service experience. Jessica loves working with others and is excited to start this new journey helping her community.

Jessica has her Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Illinois College. She lives in Ruma with her husband and two children. She and her husband spend most of their free time at their children’s sporting events and hanging out with friends and family whenever they can.

Contact Candace Gardner

Please fill out the form below to contact Candace. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 393-2550.