Adams County
Contact Info
Network Coordinator: Jasmine Thompson Blum (217) 222-8440 ext.1107 jblum@adamscountyil.gov
Family Engagement Specialist: Shaylon Mason (217) 222-8440 ext.1163 smason@adamscountyil.gov
Address:
Adams County Health Department
330 Vermont Street
Quincy, IL 62301
Early Intervention and Home Visiting Reaches Families Sooner
The Adams County AOK Network is located in west-central Illinois along the Mississippi River, with Quincy serving as its county seat and community hub. Adams County ranks as the 12th largest county in Illinois by land area. Families and children are a vital part of the community—census estimates from July 1, 2024, show that nearly one in four residents are under the age of eighteen, and more than five percent are children under age five.
The Adams County AOK Network was established in 1999 and is comprised of 40 cross-sector community partners with representation from maternal and infant health through education and care services, family voice through Parent Ambassadors, and resources and services to support parents/caregivers’ needs. In 2022, IRIS, a community referral platform was launched, increasing coordination of services and access to community resources families need and want, allowing partners to complete over 1,422 referrals to date.
In 2023, our AOK network launched the Community Assessment, Planning, and Action Process (CAPAP). Through data collection and focused conversations with families and community partners, we identified several challenges affecting the positive growth and development of young children. Findings showed that many young children are not meeting kindergarten readiness benchmarks in language and literacy, some mothers are using harmful substances during pregnancy, and a growing number of families are experiencing food insecurity.
Through the CAPAP process, Adams County AOK identified a targeted problem impacting children and families in Adams County. Eighty percent of schools are not meeting benchmarks for language and literacy development. Among mothers enrolled in Illinois Department of Human Services programs—Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Family Case Management (FCM)—only 47.4% reported stopping smoking during pregnancy, which is 15 percent below the state average. Additionally, 53% of children enrolled in Quincy Public Schools, the largest school district in Adams County, are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch—4 percent higher than the state average.
Early access to early intervention (EI) and home visiting services not only supports kindergarten readiness but also connects families to needed resources through referrals and parent education. To address these challenges, our AOK network partners designed strategies to improve access to services that support the healthy growth and development of young children and the well-being of their parents and caregivers. A dedicated workgroup was formed, bringing together parent ambassadors, EI service coordinators, and home visiting providers to develop strategies that help EI and home visiting services reach families earlier—before children enter kindergarten.
Local service providers identified two primary challenges related to EI and home visiting services. First, many children are entering school with developmental concerns that could have been identified earlier if referrals to EI or home visiting had occurred sooner. At the same time, there is a shortage of developmental therapists, making it difficult to meet the growing demand for EI services.
Adams County AOK is addressing these challenges and working to increase families’ access to high-quality EI and home visiting services through the following approaches:
- Meeting with Local Pediatricians AOK local staff and network partners are engaging local pediatricians to promote early intervention and home visiting services using the AOK Decision Guide. The EI workgroup finalized the guide in late 2025 and held its first meeting with local physicians in January 2026.
- Exploring Career Motivation in EI and Home Visiting AOK is engaging students and professionals to better understand what motivates individuals to pursue careers in early intervention and home visiting. In 2026, AOK local staff will record and transcribe 10 interviews to identify common themes and barriers. These insights will be shared with the network and used to inform future early learning workforce recruitment strategies.
These efforts help Adams County build a stronger, more coordinated system for children and families. Earlier referrals through pediatric providers and better service coordination connect children to early intervention and home visiting supports sooner. Learning from students and professionals about career motivations will help grow the local early learning workforce. Together, these efforts promote healthier pregnancies and stronger early development, and families are better prepared to support their children, helping kids enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
Testimonial quotes:
Glenn Hogge, Early Childhood Enrollment Specialist for Quincy Public Schools
“Early intervention programs work to make a smooth transition into the public preschool program.”
Chandler Keltz, CCAP Customer Service / License Exempt Provider and Safety Coach for West Central Child Care Connection
“Early intervention is not happening soon enough. A child may be behind when entering school and struggle.”
Megan Wellman, Service Coordinator for Child and Family Connections #17
“Educate younger people – high school, or college age, on what this [early intervention] is to recruit people into the workforce.”