For Felicia Farden, the mission of Birth to Five Illinois is more than a job. It is deeply personal.

As Regional Council Manager for Region 53, which serves Tazewell, Woodford and Mason counties, Farden works every day to connect families with resources, identify community needs and help build a stronger support system for young children. Her passion for the work stems from her own life experiences.

“If families thrive, communities thrive,” Farden said.

Birth to Five Illinois was created to bring together families, caregivers, educators, health care providers and community leaders to strengthen early childhood services throughout the state. The organization focuses on ensuring that children from birth to age five have access to the programs and support they need to succeed.

In Region 53, that work is coordinated from a small office on Locust Street in Delavan. The office has three employees who collaborate with community stakeholders to identify challenges facing local families and develop strategies to address them.

Central to that mission are two advisory groups: a Family Council and an Action Council. The Family Council provides parents and caregivers with an opportunity to share their experiences, concerns and ideas. The Action Council brings together community partners and service providers to review those needs and create action plans designed to improve access to resources and services.

For Farden, helping families navigate those systems is especially meaningful because she understands firsthand how life-changing the right support can be.

Growing up, her family struggled with poverty. She credits the Head Start program with helping change the course of their lives.

“Head Start pulled my family out of poverty,” Farden said.

The experience showed her the difference that early childhood programs can make, not only for children but for entire families. Years later, she found herself facing another challenge as a parent.

Her son, Tucker, is on the autism spectrum. As she searched for programs, services and child care options, Farden encountered the same barriers many families face, including complicated processes, difficult paperwork and a maze of agencies and requirements.

Navigating that red tape strengthened her commitment to making resources more accessible for other parents.

Today, through Birth to Five Illinois, Farden works to ensure families do not have to face those challenges alone. By listening to community voices, fostering partnerships and advocating for solutions, she and her team are helping lay a foundation for healthier families and stronger communities.

For Farden, the goal is simple: when families receive the support they need, children flourish, communities grow stronger and future generations have a better chance to succeed.