Freepod Interviews Lou Ann Hayes

September 3, 2024

In this interview, Lou Ann Hayes, Region 8 Council Manager, discusses the role Birth to Five Illinois plays in getting children in Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson Counties access to Early Childhood Education and Care programs and ready for Kindergarten. Lou Ann describes the family needs that differ significantly across the three counties and shares that local families with access to transportation are having to drive far outside the Region to receive Mental and Behavioral Health supports. She highlights the benefits of working locally on Early Childhood challenges and what her Team is doing to bring community members and organizational leaders together to address the needs they have identified.

“It’s a community problem, and it’s going to take the entire community to get it done.”