Region 53
Mason, Tazewell, Woodford

Region 53 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 53 highlighted in blue
 

Action Council Members

  • Nicole Meyers-Bilbrey, Pekin, Parent/Family Member Representative 

  • Amy Sloan-Gray, Children's Home and Aid Early Head Start, Program Manager 

  • Brenda Smith, SAL Family and Community Services, Director 

  • Courtney Long, Tazewell County Health Department AOK, Coordinator 

  • Donna Ashley, Tazewell-Woodford Head Start, Director 

  • Douglas Bury, City of Delavan, Ward 3 Alderman 

  • Heather Schichner, SAL Child Care Connection, Quality Specialist 

  • Lynn Burgett, The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning, Program Manager 

  • Michelle States, Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Adoption Conversion Specialist 

  • Phyllis Bliven, Illini Central School District Preschool for All, Teacher 

  • Staci Coussens, University of Illinois-Extension, SNAP Educator 

  • Stephanie Howerter, Spoon River College, Havana Center Director 

Family Council Members

  • Allisa List, Mason City (Mason County) 

  • Ashley Berlett, Germantown Hills (Woodford County) 

  • Ashley Walls, Pekin (Tazewell County) 

  • Christina Hutter, Pekin (Tazewell County) 

  • Irene Diep, Washington (Tazewell County) 

  • Julie Swoik, Pekin (Tazewell County) 

  • Katie Oliger, East Peoria (Tazewell County) 

  • Meredith Kerley, Marquette Heights (Tazewell County)

  • Sicily Cotelleso, East Peoria (Tazewell County)

Meet Your Regional Team!

Felicia Farden

Felicia Farden (she/her) is the Regional Council Manager for Region 53. She has spent over eight years advocating in different capacities. As a court advocate for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, Felicia helped a wide variety of clients navigate the legal system during crisis situations. Prior to this experience, her role was home-based as an advocate for her autistic son, Tucker.

Felicia graduated Summa Cum Laude from Illinois State University, majoring in History and minoring in Sociology with an intense focus on Education; historical patterns and their impact on our society fascinate her. Felicia has a passion for learning. She believes every child should be offered the same learning resources that helped pull her family out of poverty. 

Felicia has lived in central Illinois her entire life. In her free time, she loves to go boating and glamping with family. Most days, Felicia can be found binge-listening to podcasts or singing car karaoke.

 
A headshot of Courtney Long. Courtney has medium length wavy blonde hair and is smiling. Courtney is wearing a light teal shirt with white polka dots.

Courtney Long

Courtney Long (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 53. She is a dedicated professional with a passion for Community Systems Development and Early Childhood advocacy. Courtney graduated summa cum laude from Greenville University with a bachelor's degree in Health Psychology. Over the past few years, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing engagement and collaboration within community systems, particularly in connecting services across sectors to address child and family priorities. Her work emphasizes empowering parents and caregivers as active partners in shaping effective support systems.

Based in central Illinois throughout her life, Courtney is committed to fostering an Early Childhood system that prioritizes the well-being of children and families. In her leisure time, she cherishes moments with her husband and three daughters, often enjoying the outdoors, reading, or supporting her daughters in their diverse activities.

 

Kerry Hickman

Kerry Hickman (she/her) is the Region 53 Administrative Support. Kerry has worked in the social services and nonprofit sectors for the past 20+ years. Most recently, Kerry served as a court advocate for the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Woodford County, where she also worked in the domestic violence shelter. Kerry has dedicated her career to helping families live free from abuse and violence. 

Kerry has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rockford University. She is very active and works at the Peoria Riverfront Museum where she likes to be surrounded by beautiful things. In her free time, Kerry likes to spend time with her husband and three dogs. She also has three daughters in college in two different states, who she spends a lot of her free time visiting.

Contact Felicia Farden

Please fill out the form below to contact Felicia. Your message will go directly to her inbox. You may also reach her at (309) 270-5670.