Manhattan 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 35 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.
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.
Manhattan Leadership Team
Meredith Weiers, RBT
Office Administrator and Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Meredith started with Family First in May 2019. She graduated with a B.A. in Education Studies and Special Education from Kansas State University. She is currently working on her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. Meredith works in both the Liberty and Manhattan centers. When she is not traveling between centers, Meredith enjoys spending time with family, binging Netflix, and being outside.
Abby Nichols, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Abby started with Family First in May 2022. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Minor in Human Development and Family Science at Kansas State University and is expected to graduate in May 2024. She enjoys spending time with friends and going to K-State sporting events.
Sydney Rosenow, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Sydney started with Family First in October of 2023. She enjoys spending time with her friends, and family. They like to spend time outside playing games or going fishing. They are also big K-State fans. Go Cats!
Manhattan Registered Behavioral Specialists
Madisyn Pfizenmaier, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Madisyn started with Family First in June 2024. She is currently working on her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Conflict Analysis Trauma Studies.
Andrea Sweat, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Andrea started with Family First in 2023. She is currently working on her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and a Minor in Human Development and Family Science at Kansas State University. She enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as attending sporting events.
Annie Hennen, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Annie started with Family First in 2023. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Communication Science and Disorders and is expected to graduate in December 2025. She enjoys reading, CrossFit, watching tv, crocheting, and hanging out with friends.
Rachel Pratt, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Katy started with Family First in 2023. She is currently working on her Psychology degree from Kansas State University with a minor in Spanish. She enjoys swing dance, exploring historical sites, and playing music with friends!
Jenna Melton, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jenna started with Family First in January 2023. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Minor in Human Development and Family Sciences from Kansas State University. She enjoys the outdoors, spending time with friends, finding new places to eat, and playing games with her family.
Koby Nickel, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Koby started with Family First in 2023. He is currently working on his Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Minor in Human Development and Family Sciences at Kansas State University. He enjoys playing tennis and volleyball and watching movies.
Caitlyn Rexroat, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Caitlyn started with Family First in January 2023. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Speech Therapy from Kansas State University. She enjoys playing sports, and hanging out with her roomates.
Justina Patton, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Justina started with Family First in June 2024. She has her A.S. and is currently working on her B.S. in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. She enjoys reading, singing, and watching movies with friends and family.
Tamara Lopez Monroy, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Tamara started with Family First in October 2023. She is currently working on her Communication Sciences & Disorders degree from Kansas State University with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. She enjoys spending time with friends, family, her boyfriend, and going on walks! She also likes reading, hammoking, drawing, and working out!
Rylee Best, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Rylee started with Family First in 2024. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Kinesiology-Preoccupational Therapy with a minor in Psychology. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, watching tv, and going to the lake with her family.
Abigail Smith, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Abby started with Family First in June 2024. She is currently working on her B.S. in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Couples and Family Therapy. She enjoys traveling abroad, reselling vintage clothing, and attending concerts.
Erin Kelly, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Erin started with Family First in May 2023. She is currently working on her Kinesiology and Human Development & Family Science degree from Benedictine College/ Kansas State University. She enjoys traveling, hiking and playing games.
Katy Terry, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Katy started with Family First in December 2023. She is currently working on her Communication Sciences & Disorders degree from Kansas State University with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, going outdoors, working out, and pickleball!
Molly Irvin, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Molly started with Family First in January 2024. She enjoys reading, sewing, crafting, and working out!
Wesley Waters, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Wesley started with Family First in March 2024. He enjoys spending time with family, watching TV, listening to music, and traveling.
Gwenyth Fry, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Gwenyth started with Family First in 2024. She is currently working on her bachelor's in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. She enjoys staying active, playing basketball, crocheting, and spending time with friends.
Danielle Estrada, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Danielle started with Family First in 2024. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Pre-couples and Family Therapy, Management. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, and shopping.
Kimberly Guerra, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Kimberly started with Family First in May 2024. She has her A.A. in Psychology from Liberty University and is currently working on her Bachelor's in Psychology from there as well. She enjoys drawing, painting, going on hikes, spending time with family, gardening, playing video games and card games.
Emi Sixbury, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Emi started with Family First in May 2024. She is currently working on her A.A. and A.S. in Psychology with a minor in Pre-Couple and Family Therapy from Kansas University. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading, painting, and writing poetry.
Shabeba McDonald, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician & New Employee Liasion and Employee Engagement Coordinator
Shabeba started with Family First in 2023. She enjoys spending time with her children and mother, reading, and sewing.
Jeremiah Walker, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jeremiah started with Family First in August of 2024. He is currently working on his Masters of Architecture from Kansas State University. He enjoys playing music in his free time.
Marissa Holt, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Marissa started with Family First in August 2024. She is currently working on her B.S. in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology from Kansas State. She enjoys hanging out with friends, working out and shopping.
Madi Suenram, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Madi started with Family First in July 2024. She is currently working on her B.A. in Social Work from Kansas Weslan University. She enjoys walking her dog, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends, and reading.
Emily Chmidling, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Emily started with Family First in November 2024. In her free time Emily enjoys reading, swing dancing and hanging out with friends and family.
Graycen Harrell, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Graycen started with Family First in August 2024. Graycen has her B.S. in Marketing from Kansas State University. She enjoys reading, coloring, and spending time with her cats and family.
Keller Olson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Keller started with Family First in September 2024. He has a A.S. in Health and Human Performance from Cloud County Community College. He enjoys working out, golfing, and hanging out with friends and family.
Assistant Director
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!
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