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 is currently enrolled in college at Kansas State University and is working on a Bachelor's in Elementry Education and a Minor in Special Education. SHe enjoys hiking, camping, and hanging out with friends and family.
Emma VerEllen, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Emma started with Family First in February 2023. She completed an Assoicates degree from Indian Hills Community College and is currently working on her Bachelor's in Psychology at William Penn University. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with family.
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!
Brookelyn Schettler, RBT
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Brookelyn started with Family First in 2023. She is currently working on her Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a Minor in Human Development and Family Studies and Geography from Kansas State University. She enjoys hanging out with friends, being active, and spending time outside.
Manhattan Registered Behavioral Specialists
Adora Lewis, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Adora started with Family First in January 2023. She is currently working on getting her Bachelor's in Kinesiology at Kansas State University. She enjoys going to the gym and sports events, hanging out with friends, kickboxing, and spending time with her dog.
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.
Lauren Cox, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Lauren started with Family First in December 2023. She is currently working on her Communication Sciences & Disorders Masters degree from Kansas State University. She enjoys spending time with friends, and family, reading, and going outside!
Lily Tatro, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Lily started with Family First in May 2022. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Sciences and Disorders) at Kansas State University and is expected to graduate in December of 2023. She enjoys reading, sewing, hunting, fishing, and hanging out with friends.
Reagan Eilert, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Reagan 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 reading, coffee, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.
Avery Howard, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Avery started with Family First in October of 2023. She is currently working on her Communication Sciences and Disorders/ Human Development and Family Sciences major with a minor in Well-Being at Kansas State University. She enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, shopping, and cooking.
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!
Katie Suther, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Katie started with Family First in June 2024. She has a B.A. in Speech Language Hearing with a minor in Applied Behavioral Science. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also loves playing, watching, and coaching sports.
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.
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.
Mallory Farrar, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Mallory started with Family First in February 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 spending time with friends and family, working out, traveling 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.
Ryan Phillips, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Ryan started with Family First in June 2024. He is currently working on his B.S. in Psychology and Integrated Health Science with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences from Kansas University. He enjoys spending time with his dogs, and biking.
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.
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.
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.
Jessi Brummett, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Jessi started with Family First in June 2024. She is currently working on her B.A. in Psychology. She enjoys hanging out with family and friends, being outdoors, and exercising.
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.
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