Region 50
St. Clair

Quick Links

• Region 50 Media Coverage

• Region 50 Facebook Group

• Past Council Meeting Notes

• View Regional Data Report

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• Aimee Hart, Uni-Pres KinderCottage, Executive Director/CEO

• Alma Grinston, The Graceful Place to Grow, Owner

• Audrey Gonzalez, Untangled Minds PLLC, Owner/therapist

• Carolyn Jason, SIUE Head Start, Program Director

• Chandra Bowman, Faithful Kids Academy, Family Child Care Provider

• Emily Alvarez, NORC at the University of Chicago, Senior Research Scientist

• Evan Krauss, East Side Aligned, Executive Director

• Gina Harding, O'Fallon CCSD #90, Director of Early Learning

• Janice Moenster, Brightpoint, Director of Early Childhood Services & Family Support, Southern Region

• Jessica Seger, Mascoutah School District #19, Early Learning Student Services Coordinator

• Kimberley Fickinger, Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center, Director of Child and Adolescent Outpatient Services

• Lacey Arcos, Arcos Outdoor Living Inc., President

• Makisha Binns, Kiddos Care, Educator

• Nicole Warren, Caregiver Connections/Centerstone and SIUE HeadStart Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

• Selina Davis, Special Education Advocate at Trillium Consultancy, Owner

• Shameka C. Brown, Child and Family Connections (CFC) #21 Early Intervention, Director

• Shamyra Brown, Erikson Institute, Home Visiting Specialist

• Stacie Hoover, Ed.D., Executive Director of SMSS, Instructional Coach, Madison County, Founder of Parenting Solutions with Dr. Hoover, and Field Supervisor for McKendree

• Sylvia Nunn, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

• Trena McCoy, Mason's Place Too, Owner/Operator

• Wendy Williams, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Head Start State Collaboration Director

Family Council Members

• Alnette Smith, Swansea (St. Clair County)

• Ashley Weilbacher, Millstadt (St. Clair County)

• Cassandra Staal, O'fallon (St. Clair County)

• Jacquelyn Austin, Cahokia (St. Clair County)

• Katie Manno, Belleville (St. Clair County)

• Krystin Hobbs, Freeburg (St. Clair County)

• Megan Burgess, O’fallon (St. Clair County)

• Misti Johnson, Belleville (St. Clair County)

• Nicole Green, East St. Louis (St. Clair County)

• Paulina Casoni, Mascoutah (St. Clair County)

• Roberta Johnson, East St. Louis (St. Clair County)

• Tenesha Cooper, O'Fallon (St. Clair County)

Stephanie Herling

Stephanie Herling (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 50. Stephanie has over 20 years of Early Childhood experience.  Stephanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Sociology. Her career has ranged from teaching in child care and preschool programs to professional development and coaching. She is dedicated to ensuring families are connected to the resources in their community.  Stephanie also participates on local boards, including the Executive Committee for the Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership and the Executive Board for Brightpoint, and holds professional memberships in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Division for Early Childhood (DEC), Illinois AEYC, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Madeline Graham

Madeline Graham (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 50. Madeline earned a B.S. in Political Science from Missouri State University and an M.A in Middle Eastern Studies from Tel Aviv University in Israel. After moving back to St. Clair County in 2021, she worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), serving the greater St. Louis area. Most recently, she worked for the St. Clair County Regional Office of Education where she collaborated with educators, families, and administrators across the county.

Madeline is excited to work with children and families in her community in St. Clair County. In her free time, she likes to play with her dogs, Billy and Birdie, read, and play pickleball several times per week.

Holly Rongey

Holly Rongey (she/her) is the Region 50 Administrative Support. She holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Illinois College and brings over 30 years of experience in the child care sector. Holly’s career reflects a rich blend of direct child care expertise and over a decade of skilled administrative leadership. Her knowledge, compassion, and commitment to supporting families and educational professionals makes her a valued team member. Holly is a proud mother of two and a delighted grandmother. She enjoys spending her free time at the lake, exploring new tropical destinations, and spending time with her family and friends.