Liberty Executive Team

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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.

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Chelsey Reel, BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Chelsey Reel is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) for the Liberty office. She has been with Family First since June 2016. Chelsey graduated with a Master of Arts in Behavioral Analysis Practice from Florida Institute of Technology. In her free time, Chelsey enjoys spending time with her pets, reading, and painting.

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Lilian Andrade, BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Lily has been with Family First since December 2018. She is an alumni from Florida institution of technology, Concordia University Chicago, Missouri Valley College and East Los Angeles community college. Lily became a BCBA in June 2022. In her free time, she enjoys nature and disc golf.

 

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Laken Reel, BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Laken has been with Family first since January 2017. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Behavior Analysis Practice from Florida Institute of Technology. Laken enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading books, trying new restaurants, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Cindy Loelkes

 Assistant Director

Cindy has been with Family First since July 2011. She is the Assistant Director for all four 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!

 

Liberty Leadership Team

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Kirsten Arno, Office Administrator & RBT

Office Administrator & Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Kirsten has been with Family First Since May 2020. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Park University. Kirsten is always seen smiling at the front desk when you walk into the LB office! She loves to bake cakes and pastries. Kirsten also enjoys spending time at coffee shops and binge-watching Marvel movies. 

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Sydnie Whitaker, RBT

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Sydnie has been with Family First since November 2019. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and a minor in Childhood Studies. She will graduate with a Master's Degree in School Counseling in October 2023. Sydnie enjoys spending time with her husband, seeing her nephew, and spending time with her dogs Nelly and Samson.

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Briana Campfield, RBT

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Briana has been with Family First since March 2021. She graduated from UMKC, in December 2016, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Briana enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family. 

 

Alex Stout

Alex Stout, RBT

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Alex has been with Family First since April 2022. She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Business, at William Jewell College. She is expected to graduate in December 2023. 

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Nicholas Sprague, RBT

Lead Registered Behavior Technician 

Nick has been with Family First since February 2022. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing with his dogs, and watching movies. 

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Kayla Gallagher, RBT

Lead Registered Behavior Technician

Kayla has been with Family First since April 2021. She graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minor in Child Advocacy. She will also be working towards her PsyD in Clinical Psychology and expects to graduate in 2025. Kayla enjoys hanging out with her friends, playing with her dog, and exploring and finding new places to go.

Liberty Registered Behavioral Specialists

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Sydney Gardner, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Sydney has been with Family First since February 2022. She graduated from UMKC with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry & Psychology,  Sydney is currently working towards her Master's degree in Psychology and is expected to graduate in May 2024. After that, she will pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. 

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Kaitlyn Minet, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician 

Kaitlyn has been with Family First since March 2022. She graduated in 2021, from Northwest Missouri State, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Human Services. Kaitlyn enjoys reading, painting, and going out for coffee with friends.

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Margaret Dice, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Margaret has been with Family First since May 2022. She is currently working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education at Missouri Western State University and is expected to graduate in Spring 2024. Margaret enjoys spending time with her friends and family. 

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Lexie Rowell, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician 

Lexie has been with Family First since May 2022. She is currently working towards her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Missouri Western State University. Lexie enjoys walking her dog, hanging out with friends, and watching Netflix! 

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Baylie Edwards Van Pelt, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician & Social Media Manager

Baylie has been with Family First since August 2022. Baylie is currently working towards her Bachelor's in Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Baylie enjoys playing with her dogs, painting, and playing piano. Baylie helps run all of our social media accounts and our website!

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Hailey Tretter, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Hailey has been with Family First since November 2022. In her free time, Hailey enjoys touring and swimming at the lake. She also loves hanging out with friends in the park!

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Emily Johnson, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician 

Emily has been with Family First since January 2023. She is graduating in May of 2023 with a Master of Child Life from Texas Woman's University. Emily enjoys reading and has a big green thumb. 

 

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Livviya Haarer, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Livviya has been with Family First since February 2023. She enjoys spending time with family and friends playing board games, just hanging out, or playing music. She is also involved with IHOPKC and goes on yearly mission trips to Nicaragua.

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Kayla Briar, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Kayla has been with Family First since March 2023. Kayla enjoys the outdoors, going to art museums, and hanging out with friends! 

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Anahi Ocon, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Anahi has been working with Family First since March 2023. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and doing arts and crafts.

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Kuri Soto, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Kuri has been working with Family First since April 2023. Kuri enjoys watching sports and spending time with family.

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Emily Pope, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Emily has been working with Family First since June 2023. She graduated with an Associate of Arts in May of 2023. She enjoys crafting, going to the gym, painting, and going outside.

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Ally Cadue, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Ally started with Family First in September 2023. She is currently working on her Associate from Metropolitan Community College with a major in Criminal justice. She enjoys promoting SkillsUSA to provide a pathway for students in career and technical education to be world-class workers by the time they graduate. 

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Madison Maucelli, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Madison started with Family First in July 2023. She enjoys driving around with friends, listening to music, and being outside. 

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Kaylynn Perks, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Kaylynn started with Family First in October 2023.

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Summer Moon, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Summer started with Family First in August 2023. She enjoys spending time with family and aerial yoga. 

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Catie Tejeda, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Catie started with Family First in May 2023. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Health Science with a minor in Psychology. She enjoys guitar, working out, and watching suspense movies. 

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Brittany Watkins, RBT

Registered Behavior Technician

Brittany started with Family First in December 2023. Along with a Registered Behavior Technician certification, she also has a certification in Nursing Assistance. 

Speech Therapist

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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

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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