Kansas City 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.
Brooke Shields, BCBA, LBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Brooke has been with Family First since July 2019. She graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida in May 2018. She has been working in the field of ABA and with individuals with autism since 2014. Brooke is a member of Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis. She is licensed to work as a behavior analyst in the states of Missouri and Kansas. In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband and children, hanging out with her dogs, traveling, and working on DIY projects. Brooke loves anything and everything beach related.
Regina DeMoss, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
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
Renee Cangelosi, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Renee has been with Family First since December 2019. Renee has a master’s degree in Psychology and a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is a Ph.D. student studying psychology at the University of Kansas. She enjoys going to church, spending time with family, reading, and thrift shopping.
Cindy Loelkes
Executive Coordinator
Cindy has been with Family First since July 2011. She is the Executive Coordinator for all three locations and is 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, 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 help make Family First the very best in the region!
Kansas City Leadership Team
Cassidy Mason, RBT
Office Administrator & Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Cassidy has been with Family First since July 2017. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minored in Ministry at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Cassidy enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends, visiting local coffee shops, and volunteering with her husband doing youth ministry at her church.
Matt Dickinson, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Matt has been with Family First since November 2015. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas in December 2014. In his free time, Matt enjoys listening to music. He also does photography and works for a wedding company when he’s not at Family First.
Kayla Stokes,RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Kayla has been with Family First since June 2020. Kayla is working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Communications from University of Missouri. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time with friends/family, running, and finding new recipes to try.
Maggie Wehmeyer, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Maggie has been with Family First since May 2020. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in Psychology and Disability Studies from Truman State University. Maggie enjoys exercising, hanging out with friends, listening to music, and playing with cute animals.
Kansas City Registered Behavioral Specialists
Jeff Garrett, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jeff has been with Family First since September 2019. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting at CMSU. Jeff enjoys spending time with his three kids and wife.
Benjamin Falls, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Benjamin has been with Family First since July 2020. He enjoys playing games and hanging out with his friends.
Olivia Rademacher, RBT
Olivia has been with Family First since December 2020. She graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Minor in Disability Studies. She is currently working toward her Master's in Counseling and is expected to graduate in December 2022. Olivia enjoys exercising, hanging out with friends, exploring new places, and trying new foods.
Sami Adrian, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Sami has been with Family First since April 2021. She has her Associate of Art from Maple Woods College. Sami is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a focus in ABA at Capella University. Sami enjoys spending time with her friends and family, being outdoors, traveling, and trying new things.
Kaylee Marler, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kaylee has been with Family First since January of 2022. Kaylee is working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science / Pre-Occupational Therapy at Rockhurst. Kaylee enjoys hiking, hanging out with friends, dancing, and shopping online.
Jaycie Hutchinson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jaycie has been with Family First since February 2022. She graduated with an Associates of Arts degree from North Central Missouri College. She is working towards her Bachelors in Elementary Education at Missouri Western State University. Jaycie enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, listening to podcast, and yoga.
Ashlee Carson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Ashlee has been with Family First since April 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from The University of Missouri - Columbia. Ashlee enjoys baking & spending time with her family & friends.
Gabi Parada, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Gabi had been with Family First since April 2022. Gabi is working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at Avila University. Gabi enjoys reading, working out, and playing soccer.
Elaina Schnarr, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Elaina has been with Family First since May 2022. Elaina is working towards her Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology with a pre occupational therapy track at Rockhurst University. Elaina enjoys listening to music, going to concerts, spending time outside, and spending time with friends.
Gretchen Rock, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Gretchen has been with Family First since May 2022. Gretchen is working towards her Bachelors degree in Psychology and minor in Cognitive Science at Truman State University. She enjoys going to the gym, playing soccer, painting and cooking.
Kate Arthur, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kate has been with Family First since June 2022. Kate graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri Western State University. Kate enjoys swimming laps, playing with her dog, and having debates with close friends.
Jess Majhor, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jess has been with Family First since August 2022. She graduated from Metropolitan Community College in May 2022 with her Associate of Arts in psychology. She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and minor in Spanish. She is expected to graduate in May 2024. Jess enjoys going to the gym, playing video games and studying.
Cassidy Beatty, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Cassidy has been with Family First since August 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Saint Louis University. She is currently working towards her Masters in Biomedical Science. She is expected to graduate in May 2023. Cassidy enjoys walking her dog, trying new restaurants, and finding new coffee shops to sit & read at.
Jocelin Linares, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jocelin has been with Family First since October 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri Valley College. She is currently working towards her Psy D at Kansas City University. Jocelin enjoys spending time with her cats and family. She also enjoys going to the gym.
Tristan Groves, RBT
Tristan has been with Family First since December 2022. Tristan is working towards her bachelors degree in psychological sciences at William Jewell College. Tristan enjoys reading, watching Star Wars, and spending time with her pets.
Cheyenne Cesonis, RBT
Cheyenne has been with Family First since February 2023. She currently attends Rockhurst University and is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Military Science and Exercise Science. She is expected to graduate in May of 2026. In Cheyenne's free time, she enjoys going to the gym, reading books, and going on walks outside.
Speech Therapist
Julie Wallis, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Julie has been with Family First since summer 2018. She is the Speech Language Pathologist for the Kansas City and Liberty locations. Julie has a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State University) in 1983. She has been working with individuals with autism since 1984. Julie is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In her free time, Julie enjoys working with the Platte County Historical Society
Billing Specialist
Rachel Papera
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