Region 51
Menard, Sangamon

On this page:

• Region 51 Reports

• Quick Links

• Newsletter Subscribe

• Council Members

• Meet Your Team

• Contact Us

Quick Links

• Region 51 Media Coverage

• Region 51 Facebook Group

• Past Council Meeting Notes

• View Regional Data Report

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• Amanda Hine, Tri-City Schools, Preschool for All Teacher

• Ashley Reynolds, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

• Brad Polanin, Riverton CUSD #14, Superintendent

• Christa Austin, Prevent Child Abuse America/Transformational Consulting, LLC/ Healthy Families America, Principal Trainer and I/ECMH Consultant

• Christine Hart-Foster, Lincoln Land Child Development Center, Preschool For All Expansion Parent Educator

• Danyle Watkins, Lincoln Land Community College, Program Coordinator & Early Childhood Education Professor

• Debbie Tisckos, Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Director of Maternal and Child Health Services

• Erica Austin, Southern Illinois University, Deputy Director

• Erika Guess, Pawnee CUSD #11, Preschool for All Teacher

• Erin Shue, Safe Families for Children, Family Coach Supervisor/Intake Coordinator

• Galia Cossyleon, Memorial Health, Community Health Coordinator

• Kathryn Gowda, Memorial Home Hospice and Laurel United Methodist Church, Hospice Social Worker and Volunteer

• Kendra Day, Memorial Behavioral Health, Community Engagement Specialist

• Lakeisha Purchase, City of Springfield & LKP Consulting, LLC, Ward 5 Alderwoman

• LeAnn Bell, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

• Marvin Merriweather, Be Strong Mental Health Clinic, Psychotherapist & Licensed Clinical Social Worker

• Melissa Hostetter, Franklin Middle School, Teacher & Advocate for 0-3 Literacy

• Shelly Roat, University of Illinois Chicago's Division of Specialized Care for Children, Assistant Director of Operations Core/Connect Care programs

• Stacy Reed, Community Foundation & Continuum of Learning, Vice President of Programs and Marketing

• Thomas Kistner, Springfield Urban League Head, Inc., Health Services Manager Head Start/Early Head Start

• Tracie Sampson, Lincoln Land Community College & New Salem Children's Center II, Inc., Adjunct Professor of Early Childhood Education & Director/Owner

• Vanessa Ross, Sylvan Learning Center, Owner

Family Council Members

• Amethyst Hamm, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Annamarie Antonacci-Connelly, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Brittany Klutz, Pleasant Plains (Sangamon County)

• Darius Conley, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Deidra Johnson, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Heather Parkinson, Auburn (Sangamon County)

• Hillary Kelly, Petersburg (Menard County)

• Jaleesa Davis, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Jennifer Jones, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Jezmyn Thorpe, Riverton (Sangamon County)

• Kesha Harris, New Berlin (Sangamon County)

• Lissett Felix, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Marie Riley, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Megan Loberg-Simmering, Petersburg (Menard County)

• Mikal Sutton, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Samantha Babicky, Buffalo (Sangamon County)

• Samantha Hubbard, Springfield (Sangamon County)

• Vyvyan Wesley, Springfield (Sangamon County)

Ashley Earles

Ashley Earles (she/her) is the Regional Council Manger for Region 51. Ashley spent over 10 years in the Early Childhood field teaching in the classroom and providing professional development training to other professionals. One of her proudest moments was receiving the UIC Specialized Care for Children 2017 Champion for Children and Illinois AEYC 2017 Children’s Champion awards. Ashley volunteers for SPARC on their Human Rights Committee, serves as the President of the Tri-City Youth Sports League, and coaches her daughter in softball. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Ashley was born in Naples, Italy, and grew up in Rushville, Illinois; she moved to the Springfield area in 2007. She has been married to her husband, Drew, for 12 years and has two daughters, Ena (10) and Emmie (5). They live on a family farm raising cows, goats, and chickens. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, and cooking with her daughters, while also enjoying Christmas music and movies all year long.

Amanda DeFord

Amanda DeFord (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 51. Her professional journey in the Early Childhood Education and Care field has allowed her to work directly with children, parents and caregivers, and organizations that support and advocate for Early Childhood programs and services, as well as for children and families with special needs. Amanda has played an active role on the Capitol Area Chapter of the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (ILAEYC), the Autism Support of Central Illinois (ASCI) Board of Directors, and various other community organizations.

Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Education. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, Adam; three children, Casey, Colin, and Ireland; and three fur babies. Amanda enjoys a great cup of coffee, live music and theatre, trying new recipes, 90’s music, and going on Jeep adventures with her family.

Amber Walters

Amber Walters (she/her) is the Region 51 Administrative Support. She has 20+ years of experience in the Early Childhood field. She previously worked as a preschool teacher in both public and private schools and a Kindergarten Readiness Coordinator/Home Visitor in Sangamon County. She also served on the Capitol Area Chapter of the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children (ILAEYC) board for several years.

Amber has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree in Elementary Reading from NOVA Southeastern University. She currently serves on the Springfield Salvation Army Advisory Board. She resides in Springfield with her husband, Adam, and daughter, Addaley. She enjoys baking, swimming, boating, and time with family and friends.