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.
Justina Patton, RBT
Lead 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.
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!
Koby Nickel, RBT
Lead 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.
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.
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!
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.
Molly Irvin, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Molly started with Family First in January 2024. Molly enjoys reading, sewing, crafting and working out in her free time
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.
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.
Elayna Robinson, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Elayna started with Family First in April of 2025. Elayna is currently working on her bachelor's of science, majoring in psychological sciences and minoring in her certificate of clinical psychology> In her free time Elayna enjoys going on runs, reading romance novels and being around animals.
Grace Toman, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Grace started with Family First in January of 2025. Grace is currently enrolled at Kansas State University working towards her bachelors in science, Majoring in psychology and minoring in human development and family sciences with a certificate in clinical psychology. In her free time Grace enjoys reading, spending time with friends and listening to music
Shianna Selzer, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Shianna started with Family First in March of 2025.
Sydney Rafuse, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Sydney started with Family First in September of 2024. Sydney is currently enrolled at Kansas State University, working towards her bachelors, majoring in psychology/criminology and is expected to graduate in May of 2025. In her free time she enjoys taking care of her plants.
Taylor Standifer, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Taylor started with Family First in February of 2025. Taylor is currently enrolled at Kansas State University and majoring in psychology and minoring in art she is expected to graduate in May of 2027. In her free time Taylor enjoys doing arts and crafts as well as trying new places to eat.
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.
Chloe Colston, 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.
Elizabeth Land, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Elizabeth started with Family First in April of 2025. In her free time Elizabeth enjoys baking, reading, diamond painting and listening to music!
Leah Hoffman, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Leah started with Family First in February of 2025. Leah is currently enrolled at Kansas State University and majoring in psychology and minoring in management. She is expected to graduate in December of 2025. In her free time Lead enjoys working out, walking with friends and shopping.
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.
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.
Eric Weiers, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Eric started with Family First in April of 2025. In his free time Eric enjoys snowmobiling, cornhole, golf and playing video games.
Natalie Drouhard, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Natalie started with Family First in September of 2024. Natalie is currently enrolled at Kansas State University majoring in psychology and gender, women and sexuality studies and minoring in queer studies, intro. couples and family therapy. In her free time Natalie enjoys hanging out with her cat, playing guitar, cooking and reading.
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.
Clara Haslam, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Clara started with Family First in January of 2025.
Faith Stone, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Faith started with Family First in March of 2025. Faith is currently enrolled at Kansas State University, working towards her bachelors, majoring in Human Development and family sciences. Faith is scheduled to graduate in May of 2026. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, working on crafts and going on drives to watch the sun set.
Samantha Weber, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician
Samantha started with Family First in February of 2025. In her free time Samantha enjoys singing and playing the flute. She also enjoys running, weightlifting and reading.
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