Region 21
Franklin, Johnson, Massac, Williamson

Region 21 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.

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.

Mental & Behavioral Health Addendum includes new information about the available Mental and Behavioral Health resources shared by caregivers, Early Childhood professionals, and community members after the release of our initial report.

Action Plan Progress features the Region’s top Early Childhood priorities and highlights their goal progress and how to get involved.

 

Action Council Members

  • Barbara (BJ) Timmons, Ms. BJs Hair Haven, Owner

  • Christina Sigler, Centerstone, IPS Prevention Specialist

  • Edrica McDowell, Centerstone, Community Services Manager

  • Jennifer Parks, Southern Seven Health Department, Early Childhood Administrator

  • Johna Schullian, Regional Office of Education #21, McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison

  • Jordan Johnson, Cross Country Antiques, Business Owner

  • Kazu Takeguchi, The Autism Clinic at Hope, Clinician

  • Lee Eklund, Malones Early Learning Center, Director & Owner

  • Lindsay Willmore, Crab Orchard Public Library, Program Coordinator

  • Mallory Mazanek, Centerstone, Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

  • Mary Beth Long, SIH Memorial Hospital Carbondale, RN Clinical Case Manager

  • Missy Brown, CCR&R John A. Logan, Director

  • Nancy Gulley, Southern Region Early Childhood, Pre-K Teacher

  • Nicholas Mott, Office of State Representative Patrick Windhorst, District Director

  • Pamela Thrash, Southern Region Early Childhood, Southern Region Early Childhood Family Educator

  • Phillip Hosfeldt, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

  • Rebecca Guest, Vienna High School, Dean of Instruction

  • Terance Henry, Small Business Solutions, Business Owner/ Workforce Development Board

Family Council Members

  • Amanda Shoemaker, Vienna (Johnson County)

  • Amy Cocuyo, Benton (Franklin County)

  • Chelsea Bosecker, Karnak (Massac County)

  • Emily Crowell, West Frankfort (Franklin County)

  • Faithe Allen, Metropolis (Massac County)

  • Karen Beach, Metropolis (Massac County)

  • Karsen Bosecker, Vienna (Johnson County)

  • Misty Browning, Makanda (Williamson County)

  • Stephanie Caudle, Benton (Franklin County)

  • Tessa Winn, Vienna (Johnson County)

  • Tiffany Holland, Metropolis (Massac County)

Meet Your Regional Team!

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Coming soon!

 
A headshot of Chelsi Diles. Chelsi has curly blonde hair and is smiling. Chelsi is wearing a pink and white striped blouse with a pink blazer on top. Chelsi has feather shaped earrings and a silver necklace.

Chelsi Diles

Chelsi Diles (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 21. She has an Associates of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as a Family Services Credential. She worked as a child care teacher in her hometown for five years while in college and stayed on full-time after graduating. Chelsi then accepted a position as a teacher for the Southern Seven Head Start, where she was employed for 15 years working as an Early Head Start home-based teacher at the Ullin site, and then as a Parent Coordinator at the Metropolis site.

Chelsi has worked diligently to form partnerships within Massac County so together they can provide resources to meet the needs of the children and their families. She has a passion for forming new relationships and assisting others. Chelsi is married with five children and resides in Vienna, Illinois. She loves to travel and go on family outings.

 
Photo of Rebecca Holcomb, a light skinned person with wavy blonde hair smiling from the chest up. Rebecca is wearing a black and white patterned top.

Rebecca Holcomb

Rebecca (Becca) Holcomb (she/her) is the Region 21 Administrative Support. Becca has worked in the Early Childhood Education and Care system for 10+ years, supporting and encouraging families while building and strengthening community relationships throughout Southern Illinois. Eight of those ten years she spent working for Illinois’ Early Intervention Program as an Administrative Support, Service Coordinator, and Parent Liaison for Child and Family Connections #24. Becca was nominated by her co-workers and recognized by the Illinois Early Intervention Program as the “Problem Solver” in 2019 for her dedication to finding the solution when there was an issue! She is dedicated to her work and devoted to our children, family, and communities in Illinois.

Becca holds an associate’s degree in Human Services, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Johnson County and is the proud mother of two sons, a daughter, and two doges. Becca enjoys going on adventures with her kids and making memories!

Contact Tonya Frehner

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