Liberty 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.
Micaela Lopez, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Mica has been with Family First since July 2020. She graduated with a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Southeast Missouri State University in August of 2017. Mica comes to Family First with experience working with children in clinic and home settings. She is a licensed behavior analyst in the states of Missouri and Kansas. Mica enjoys spending time with her dog (Max), friends and family. She also enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and going to the beach.
Chelsey Reel, BCaBA
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Chelsey Reel is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) for the Liberty office. She has been with Family First since June 2016. Chelsey graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Culver-Stockton College in May 2016 and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Behavioral Analysis Practice from Florida Institute of Technology. In her free time, Chelsey enjoys spending time with her cats, Leia, and Dexter, and painting. Fun Fact: Chelsey has worked at all three Family First locations!
Lilian Andrade, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Lily has been with Family First since December 2018. She has a Master's in Human Services and a Minor in administration. In her free time, she enjoys nature and disc golf.
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!
Liberty Leadership Team
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Liberty Registered Behavioral Specialists
Mia Withington, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Mia has been with Family First since November 2017. She graduated from Park University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Professional Behavioral Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. Mia is married and a mom of three, so in her free time, she enjoys drinking coffee and wishing for a nap. She loves succulents, sarcasm, and coffee.
Jesse Baker, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jesse has been with Family First since July 2020. She has two associate degrees from Johnson County and is working on a bachelor's in Human Biology at the University of Kansas, she is expected to graduate in 2024. Jesse enjoys drawing, playing with her cats, spending time with her family, and going on hikes.
Kayla Gallagher, RBT
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.
Lara Young, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Lara has been with Family First since May 2021. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and minor in Business. Lara is also working towards her Master of Science degree in Addiction Counseling. Lara enjoys spending time with her two boys and her wonderful hubby.
Rachel Hughes, RBT
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.
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.
Carina Silverio-Davis, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Carina has been with Family First since April 2022. Carina enjoys listening to music, working out, and spending time with her boyfriend and family.
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.
Emily Olson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Emily has been with Family First since May 2022. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outside reading a book in her hammock. She also enjoys going to concerts, starting new projects around her apartment, camping, and kayaking.
McKenzie Brown, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
McKenzie has been with Family First since May 2022. Studies at University of Missouri-Kansas City. She enjoys spending time in nature, and hanging out with family.
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!
Baylie Edwards Van Pelt, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Baylie has been with Family First since September 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, baking, and playing piano. Fun Fact: Baylie helps run all of our social media accounts and our website!
Teagan Klamm, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Teagan has been with Family First since October 2022. She is working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Teagan enjoys spending time with her fiance, friends, and her dog Thibodeaux.
Sky Pearson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Sky has been with Family First since November 2022. She enjoys spending time with her family and her pet dog, Argon. She also loves to read and sing. Sky has a background in childcare and is thinking about persuing counseling in the future.
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!
Destiny Adams, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Destiny has been with Family First since January 2023. Destiny enjoys exploring new coffee shops, going to museums, and spending time with family.
Naunie Harris, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Naunie has been with Family First since January 2023. She is currently working towards her Bachelor's Degree in Child Psychology at SNHU. Naunie enjoys playing guitar, singing, spending time with friends, baking, and listening to rock music.
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.
Jayden Hicks, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jayden has been with Family First since January 2023. He is currently working towards a degree in Communication and Non-profit Leadership at William Jewell College. Jayden enjoys watching movies, spending time with friends and family, and listening to music.
Sarah Marsh, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Sarah has been with Family First since January 2023. She is currently working on a Neuroscience degree at Maple Woods Community College. She is a mom of 2 and joined us to help on her parenting journey with her son who has autism. She enjoys knitting and art in her free time.
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.
Sasha Pancic, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Sasha has been with Family First since February 2023. She is working towards her Bachelor's in Behavioral Psychology. Sasha enjoys reading, hanging out with her family, and spending time outside with her dog.
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!
Maren Johnston, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Maren has been working with Family First since March 2023. Her in free time she enjoys painting, playing music with friends, and volunteering with Free Hot Soup KC.
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.
Destiny Smith, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Destiny has been working with Family First since April 2023. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and trying new things with her three-year-old son.
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.
Emily Mendoza, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Emily has been working with Family First since March 2023. She is currently working on Majoring in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. She enjoys jujitsu, reading, the gym, and hanging out with friends in her free time.
Quinn Weakley, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Quinn has been working with Family First since May 2023. She is currently working on Majoring in Psychology and a Minor in Sports Psychology at Northwest Missouri State University. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family, watching sports, and grabbing coffee in her free time.
Jayla Howard, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jayla has been working with Family First since May 2023.
Catie Tejeda, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Catie has been working with Family First since May 2023.
Liberty Behavioral Specialists
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
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