Executive Team
Dr. Farrell Weiers, PhD, BCBA
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Dr. Weiers is a Child and Adolescent Psychologist, licensed in the state of Missouri, who has spent the last 25 years working with families and children. In her private practice, Behavioral Solutions, she specializes in psychological evaluations and therapy for children ages 2 – 19. She additionally runs a non-profit organization called Hand in Hand Foundation. In her free time, Dr. Weiers enjoys spending time with her husband, Marty, and five children. She loves to go camping with her family. Dr. Weiers aspires to be the best. Family First Center for Autism and Child Development is her brainchild and passion.
Cindy Loelkes
Executive Coordinator
Cindy has been with Family First since July 2011. She is the Executive Coordinator for all three locations and is primarily based in the Kansas City office. Cindy has been working with individuals with autism since 1987. In her free time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, camping, traveling, and watching the KC Chiefs. Cindy has a wonderful husband and three amazing children – two of whom are on the autism spectrum. Working at Family First is the perfect meld of her personal and professional experience, which makes her super motivated to make Family First be the very best in the region!
Leadership Team
Brigit Roe, RBT
Office Administrator & Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Brigit has been with Family First since July 2017. She has an Associate of Arts from Illinois Central College. Brigit makes appointments, manages the telephones, collects insurance co-pays, and schedules sessions for the Leavenworth center. She is a proud military wife of 20 years and a mother of 2. In her free time, she likes to go kayaking and camping. Fun fact: Brigit has lived all over the United States and Europe!
Celina Evans, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Celina has been with Family First since October 2015. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Professional Behavioral Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. Her expected graduation date is December 2020. In her free time, Celina enjoys oil painting and refinishing antique furniture.
Regina DeMoss, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Regina has been with Family First since August 2019. She has a Master’s in Education and is currently working towards national certification in behavior analysis. In her free time, Regina enjoys listening to live music, hanging out with her friends, and reading
Lilian Andrade, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kelly Crowder, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Kelly has been with Family First since February 2018. She graduated with an Associate in Arts in 1999 and an Associate in Science in 2012. In her free time, Kelly enjoys traveling, reading, trying new things, and entertaining. Prior to working at Family First, Kelly was active as an advocate for children, parents, and childcare providers at local, state, and federal levels.
Behavioral Specialists
Jordan Andrews, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jordan has been with Family First since September 2018. In her free time, Jordan enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing with her cat.
Keeley Bailes, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Keeley has been with Family First since March 2018. In her free time, Keeley enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews. Keeley loves to ride horses.
Lacy Logan, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Lacy has been with Family First since July 2018. She has worked with children for 17 years. In her free time, Lacy enjoys spending time with her children and husband.
Kaitlyn DeMaranville, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kaitlyn has been with Family First since August 2019. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Pittsburg State University in May 2019 and is currently working on a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas. Her expected graduation date is May 2020. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys playing with her dogs.
Liz Lee, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Liz has been with Family First since October 2018. She has an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education from Kansas City Kansas Community College and is currently working towards a degree in Secondary Education in English with ELL certification from Missouri Western State University. Her expected graduation date is May 2021. In her free time, Liz enjoys reading, sewing quilt tops, and going to the movies. She is a mom of five and grandma of two
Renee Collins, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Renee has been with Family First since December 2017. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, family, and friends, and drawing.
Kala Finney, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kala has been with Family First since August 2019. In her free time, Kala enjoys dancing, singing, and inspiring others.
Jayme Mathia, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jayme has been with Family First since May 2018. In her free time, Jayme enjoys camping and spending time with her family.
Hannah Cahill, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Hannah has been with Family First since October 2016. She is currently working on a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Calvary University. Her expected graduation date is December 2020. In her free time, Hannah enjoys volunteering for special needs programs, participating in church events, drinking coffee, and enjoying life with her friends and family. Hannah said she’s an army brat; her father retired from the army at Ft. Leavenworth.
Jesse Trautman, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jesse has been with Family First since June 2019. She graduated with an Associate in Liberal Arts from Kansas City Kansas Community College in May 2019. In her free time, Jesse enjoys baking, singing, traveling, and taking adventures.
Michele Bryant, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Michele has been with Family First since October 2018. She has an Associates degree. In her free time, Michele enjoys spending time with her family.
Melanie Carson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Melanie has been with Family First since April 2018. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Patrick Gummo, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Patrick has been with Family First since July 2018. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, fixing computers, tech repair, gaming, traveling, and spending time with family. He was born in Romania, adopted, and raised in a small town in southern Missouri. He is very passionate about working with kids and helping them excel!
Rachael Patterson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Rachael has been with Family First since August 2018. She is currently working on a college degree. In her free time, Rachael enjoys CrossFit and going to the lake.
Jessica Wahl, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Krown Griffith,RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Krown has been with Family First since September 2018. She enjoys traveling and hanging out with her dog.
Dakotah Ford, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Dakotah has been with Family First since September 2019. In her free time, she enjoys drinking coffee and watching shows on Netflix.
Rhianna McDaniel, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Rhianna has been with Family First since August 2019. She is currently working on a Masters Degree in Counseling from UMKC. Her expected graduation date is December 2022. In her free time, Rhianna enjoys playing with her dog, doing arts & crafts, and hanging out with her friends and family.
Kala Finney, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kala enjoys working out, eating, dancing, and motivating others. A fun fact about Kala is that she has mad cooking skills!
Amanda Horn, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Amanda has been with Family First since September 2019. She is currently working on a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Nursing at KCKCC. Her expected graduation date is December 2021. In her free time, Amanda enjoys crafting, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Billing Specialist
Rachel Papera
Billing Specialist
Rachel has been with Family First since May 2017. She is the billing specialist for all three locations and is based out of Omaha, Nebraska. In her free time, Rachel enjoys working in her yard.If you have any questions regarding exact payment costs for ABA therapy, speech, or billing, please contact her via email: rpapera@familyfirstkc.com