Northeast Behavior Consultants

Amy Opliger has been working as a behavior consultant with Ferraro Behavior Services since January of 2012. Amy possesses a Master of Science degree in School Counseling from Indiana University and a Ph.D in Educational Leadership from Union Institute. Amy has spent many years as a special education teacher and a school counselor in Fort Wayne, Ohio, Indonesia, and Abu Dhabi. She was also the director of the Burmese Refugee Program in Indianapolis. As a school counselor, Amy has spent many years collaborating with teachers to address the academic and social needs of special needs' students. The focus of her research for her doctoral program revolved around the belief that all children need to develop trusting relationships in a safe and caring environment if effective learning is to take place. This belief carries over into her current work as a behavior consultant - everyone can learn when they trust the people with whom they are working with.

Ashley Hudson obtained a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Russell Sage College and has her BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). She has over ten years of professional experience working with children and young adults with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. Ashley has a strong background in Applied Behavior Analysis and Functional Behavior Assessment. She also has extensive experience in training direct care professionals and parents in developing and implementing behavior modification programs in the home, work, community, and school settings. She joined the team at Ferraro Behavior Services as a behavior consultant in May of 2017.

Brittany began working in the developmental disabilities field as a direct care staff in 2006. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2008, she realized she had found her career path and moved into the position of a Medicaid waiver case manager for individuals with developmental disabilities. She spent seven years as a case manager before coming to Ferraro Behavior Services as a behavior consultant in September of 2015. Brittany graduated with a Master's degree in Counseling from Grand Canyon University in June of 2014. She also works in private practice, counseling adults and children to gain experience with a broader population. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and is working towards becoming a licensed mental health counselor. 

My name is Candy Pease and I live in Churubusco, IN. I have been a behavior consultant for 6 years, but my entire career has been in service to people with disabilities and their families, specializing in those with autism. I provide services for Medicaid Waiver consumers in Whitley, Allen, Noble, Wells, and Dekalb counties. My skills include staff training, behavior assessment, and teaching behavior intervention strategies at the collegiate level. I enjoy incorporating art into my therapeutic sessions. I also volunteer as a curator for art shows for individuals with disabilities. I graduated from Capella University with a Master's of Counseling Studies and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Carrie Sievers started working with individuals with disabilities as a high school volunteer at a sheltered workshop teaching hygiene and social skills groups. This experience then led to numerous other positions in the field including skills trainer positions in group homes and other waiver programs as well as case management. She has cared for this population for over 10 years. Carrie received her Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Hanover College and went on to receive a Master's Degree in Social Work in 2008 from IUPUI. Carrie has worked with Ferraro Behavior Services serving individuals with disabilities as a behavior consultant since 2008.

Faye Case started working with individuals with disabilities as a senior in high school, working rotations at a sheltered workshop through an opportunity through the school. While pursuing her Bachelor's Degrees' in Science majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice through Trine University, she gained experience working at a workshop and in a waiver home as direct support staff. Faye moved on to work three years at an ABA center while she obtained her Master's Degrees' of Art in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education through Ball State University; with these degree's she obtained certifications in Autism, Applied Behavior Analysis and Response to Intervention. Faye joined the Ferraro Behavior Services team in 2018, with three years of experience working as a Behavior Consultant. 

Frank Mikulski received his Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern Illinois University and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Frank has provided behavioral services to clients who receive waiver services since 2006. Prior to that time he provided behavioral services to clients in a variety of settings for over 25 years. All of the individuals he has supported have an intellectual disability. The individuals have had a variety of behavioral challenges, some very severe. He has supported individuals who have mental health issues (participating in psychiatric evaluations, counseling sessions and observations at in-patient settings) and legal issues (providing testimony in court). Frank began working with Ferraro Behavior Services as a Behavior Consultant in the Fort Wayne area in May 2013. He looks forward to using his experience to provide client centered services.

Heather Follis received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2005 and graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2010 with a Master's of Science in Counselor Education, with specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. Heather began working with individuals with developmental disabilities in 2005 as direct support staff in a waiver home. Throughout her career she has also worked as a Team Coordinator, Program Coordinator and Waiver Case manager, as well as completing two counseling internships. Heather came to Ferraro Behavior Services in September of 2010 to begin her career as a Behavior Consultant and Outpatient Therapist. She continues to work toward licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy in hopes to reach out to a larger and more diverse population of people with mental health needs. Heather relishes in the pleasure of helping to improve the quality of the lives and meet the needs of those who seek her help. 

Jeff received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a Master's degree In Counselor Education from Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Indiana with over 15 years of experience. Jeff currently provides counseling services in a small private practice, and previously worked for Park Center in Fort Wayne as an outpatient therapist. While with Park Center he was coordinator for the Family Education Center, providing counseling and clinical supervision of day program services to students with severe emotional disabilities. Jeff has been a consultant with Ferraro Behavior Services since April 2011.

Jennifer Mollema obtained a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in 2017. She has a strong background working with children and young adults with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum disorder in a clinical environment as well as home, work, community, and school settings. Jennifer has extensive training experience in training direct care professionals and parents in developing and implementing behavior modification programs based on Applied Behavior Analysis and Functional Behavior Assessment. Jennifer feels extremely blessed to be working as a Ferraro Behavior Consultant where she can pursue her passion for working with individuals with disabilities. Jennifer joined the team at Ferraro Behavior Services in November of 2018. 

Jenny Nelson, MSW, LSW graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services from IPFW and a Master's in Social Work from the IU School of Social Work at IUPUI in 2011. While in grad school, Jenny began work doing direct care as well as providing respite for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Seeing how rewarding working with this population can be, she decided to continue in this area upon returning to Fort Wayne after graduation. Jenny worked as a supervising caseworker, learning many aspects of waiver services, prior to beginning her career as a behavior consultant in 2013, joining the FBS team in August of 2016. 

Jesse Underwood received a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. He has over 7 years of education and experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in a variety of settings. Jesse's training and experience allow him to work with a variety of specialties including: behavior management, play therapy, art therapy, chemical dependency treatment, and individual and marriage counseling. Jesse Underwood started work at FBS as a Behavior Consultant and Outpatient Therapist in August of 2011 and enjoys working in this field to assist individuals with overcoming challenges in their lives, while strengthening their relationships and contributing to their personal growth. 

John received his Masters degree from Indiana-Purdue University (Fort Wayne, Indiana) in 2003 and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Indiana. His graduate internship was at the Family Education Center at Park Center, Inc. In his internship, John worked with severely emotionally handicapped children and their families. John joined FBS in April of 2010 as a Behavior Consultant and Therapist who works with many different populations. John treats individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. He works with individuals, couples, and families and has extensive experience in dealing with grief and mourning issues.

 Julie received her undergraduate degree/Bachelor of Arts through Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana in 1998. She earned her Master's of Arts in General Psychology in 2013 and then received her graduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis through Ball State University in 2020. Julie has worked in the Fort Wayne area most of her life and served developmental disability field since 2001. She provided direct support to individuals with developmental disabilities upon completion of her undergraduate education. She eventually moved on to the role as a case manager and advocate through the Medicaid waiver program for over 10 years. Julie has prior experience working as a Youth Behavior Manager in a correctional setting and served as direct support for the infant/toddler population with special needs. Her area of expertise includes working with individuals who have the diagnosis of Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury and other physical disabilities. She is very passionate about her role as a therapist, supporting individuals to progress in his or her personal growth, and to help them to achieve their lifelong goals. Julie received her national BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) in the fall of 2021.

Katie Goodman received her Bachelor's of Social Work Degree and a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. Katie has previously worked with crisis management at Lutheran Hospital in the field of social work for approximately 5 years. She has worked with neonatal infants, pediatrics, geriatrics and families in this setting as well as in a private practice setting as an intern. Katie has special training working with autism spectrum disorders, grief and loss, behavior management, and ADHD assessment and treatment. Katie started working with Ferraro Behavior Services, LLC in February of 2012 as a Behavior Consultant and welcomes the challenge because, "it gives me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow, but the true reward lies in the lives that I am able to touch." 

 Lisa graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Saint Francis in 2005. She also got her master’s in social work from Indiana University in 2008 with a concentration in Mental Health and Addictions. Lisa has been working in the social work field for a little over 10 years now. Most of Lisa's work experience has been doing individual and group therapy with the adolescent population. Lisa enjoys working in a team setting and being able to help the quality of life of others. Lisa began working at Ferrero Behavioral Services in July 2012. 

Marquita S Phillips, MS Received my Undergrad for Indiana Tech in 2007 in Psychology. While pursuing that degree I worked as a direct support staff with young adults. After completing that degree I began working for SCAN; assisting young mothers who were at risk of abusing their children; providing case management services and also providing the mothers with coping skills. While working at SCAN I also obtained my Master of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. After 5 years of service there I transitioned to provide home based case management services to youth, young adults and adults at the Bowen Center. I also worked as home based therapist providing services to troubled youth, and as a Rehabilitation Counselor for 4 year for the State of Indiana. I have many years of experience over a variety of different areas but ultimately my main focus and passion is assisting individuals accomplish goals that they normally wouldn't be able to accomplish on their own. 

Melinda received her Master’s Degree from University of Saint Francis. She has over 15 years’ experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings. Melinda specializes in working with individuals who have sensory challenges. 

Meet Nichole Wormcastle, a dedicated professional driven by her unwavering commitment to empower individuals to reach their fullest potential. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science since 2015, Nichole embarked on a journey of continuous growth and specialization fueled by her deep desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Nichole’s dedication to supporting others extends beyond academia. Since 2004, she has been actively involved in caring for individuals with disabilities, honoring her innate ability to connect with and uplift people from diverse backgrounds.

In 2018, Nichole attained a dual Master’s degree in Kinesiology specializing in Corrective Exercise; Orthopedics, and Sports Psychology. Her academic pursuits were propelled by a fervent belief in the transformative power of physical activity and psychological well-being.

In 2018, Nichole’s passion led her to a Development Center in Ohio, where she refined her skills in providing personalized support to individuals with unique needs. Joining an autism school in Ohio in 2019, she played a vital role in fostering a nurturing environment for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Continuing her journey of empowerment, Nichole joined an ABA center in 2020, leveraging her expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis to facilitate positive behavioral changes and promote personal growth.

In 2021, Nichole made her mark at Ferraro, where her passion for helping others reached their full potential shone brightly. Despite initially aspiring to pursue elementary education focusing on Mathematics and Special Needs, Nichole’s path led her precisely where she aimed to be, where she continues to impact lives profoundly.

In 2024, Nichole’s journey takes her back to school to lean American Sign Language, enriching her career and enabling better communication with her nonverbal clients. With her unwavering dedication to guiding individuals on their journey to self-improvement, Nichole Wormcastle embodies empathy, expertise, and empowerment, inspiring others to strive for greatness and achieve their goals.

Rebekah Glunt has been with Ferraro since the fall of 2017 and has 15 cumulative years of experience in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, starting in her home state of Maine. After moving to Fort Wayne, she earned her master's degree in applied Behavior analysis from Ball State University, obtained her Board-Certified Behavior Analyst certification. Rebekah has gained various experiences in direct client care, clinical ABA positions, school collaborations and in home support. Rebekah is pursuing her PhD. in Global Health Leadership at Indiana Institute of Technology and plans to conduct her dissertation on “systematic acclimation healthcare appointments”, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through their healthcare appointments. Additionally, she aims to advocate for healthcare law reform to better support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her service methodology is rooted in person centered care to ensure dignity and respect of the client. She is also passionate about Montessori interactive education, as this philosophy helps to increase practical life skills. When not being a behavioral nerd, Rebekah is a mother to two boys (Oliver and Sterling), enjoys playing/watching hockey and attending music concerts with her husband. 

Sarah Miller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a dual major in Psychology at Trine University and a Master of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Saint Francis. Prior to joining Ferraro Behavior Services, she worked at Allen County Community Corrections as a substance abuse counselor and social skills group facilitator. Sarah has a history of working with individuals with addiction, chronic mental illness, Autism spectrum disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and varying levels of ability. Sarah has a passion for guiding people to meet their highest potential in life and works with the individual, their family, and professional caregivers to build a network of support for the clients that she serves.

Sheila received her Bachelor's degree in elementary and mild interventions from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, IN. She also received her Master's in Special Education from Ball State University. She has worked the past 10 years being a teacher in a centralized emotional disabilities classroom. She has chosen to change her career and begin as a Behavior Consultant where she can focus on helping with challenges that adults and children can face each day. She joined Ferraro Behavior Services in February of 2017.

Sherry Conley graduated from the University of St. Francis with a Bachelor's degree in special education and a Master's in School Counseling. She has over 23 years of teaching in various school settings with the majority of experience in working with high school students. Her experience includes working as a guidance counselor and teaching English to Burmese and Karen students. During her college days she worked in a variety of group homes. Residents included: those with special needs, adults who struggled with mental illness and juvenile justice offenders placed in a group home by the court system. Sherry also lived for 4 years in a foster care home and helped take care of special needs adults on a daily basis. She helped them with daily living skills, transported them to their place of work as well as took them to doctor appointments and social outings. Sherry values and maintains long term relationships with those she has worked with in the past as well as continues to mentor to former students who are now adults. Her passion is helping others to help themselves to succeed. Sherry is happy to join the FBS family and learning from others in the field.

Devin Morris started working with individuals with disabilities in high school where she had an internship at a day facility for adults with special needs. At the day facility, they worked on ADL’s and job training. This experience led Devin to continue her career by working as a direct support professional in group homes and waiver homes. She has continued this passion for the field for the last 6 years. Devin received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Saint Francis and her Master’s Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Devin feels extremely grateful to continue her love for the field as a behavior consultant where she can pursue her dreams of working with individuals with disabilities.

  Jon previously worked in the field of ABA for 9 years before joining FBS as a behavior consultant in May of 2019. Jon received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Indiana Wesleyan University and his master’s degree in ABA from Ball State University. In Jon's free time he enjoys spending time with his family and anything sports related. 

I graduated from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and from the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH with a Master of Social Work. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Indiana, and am a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Ohio. Prior to behavioral consulting, I provided outpatient mental health and substance abuse services in Ohio and Indiana. I provided individual and family therapy to

children, adolescents and adults to address multiple disorders including Depression, Anxiety, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Substance Use Disorder. I also provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to inmates, completed crisis assessments on suicidal individuals,

and provided anger management group therapy. My favorite population to work with in these settings were individuals with autism or an intellectual disability, which is when I transitioned to the waiver program providing behavior management services. Aside from providing behavior management, I am also trained in Art Therapy and provide this service to schools in Steuben

County through the Steuben County Literacy Coalition. When I’m not working, I enjoy boating on the lake, watching football, going to races, reading, and spending time with my husband, daughter, and two dogs

Heather Demerly earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University in 2021, and joined Ferraro Behavior Services shortly after. Heather has a background working with young adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, in the home, school, community, and clinical settings. Heather feels fortunate to be a part of the Ferraro Behavior Services team where she can purse her passion working with individuals with developmental delays and disabilities.

Erica Kennedy is a seasoned professional dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities through her work at Ferraro Behavior Services since 2017. Armed with an undergraduate degree in elementary education with a focus on special education, Erica's commitment to serving the special needs population was evident early on. Her academic journey continued with a master's degree in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University, equipping her with the skills and knowledge needed to make a tangible difference.

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in the field, Erica's passion for facilitating measurable change and promoting independence shines through in her every endeavor. She approaches each individual with individuality and empathy, striving to unlock their full potential and pave the way for success. Outside of her professional pursuits, Erica finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, whether it's spending quality time with her 3 dogs, going on kayaking adventures, or exploring new destinations around the globe.

Olivia Gerke received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2014 and worked in the mental health field for 9 years. During that time, she helped people of all ages set and accomplish goals, practice independent living skills, and modify problematic behaviors. Olivia also has 6 years of experience providing one-on-one services in the school setting. In 2023 Olivia received her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Olivia completed her internship with Ferraro and began working full time after graduation. She has been a Behavior Consultant since May of 2023.

Tina began working as a direct support staff in Waiver homes in 2001. She has always had a passion for assisting others with disabilities. Tina earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 2011 from Trine University, and MA in ABA in 2019 from Ball State University. Tina joined FBS in 2020. She brings over 23 years of experience serving others and helping them achieve their goals.

Tricia Starnes has earned her Bachelor’s degree in social work, and her Master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Ball State University. She has been working with individuals with disabilities in various capacities for over 20 years. Tricia has worked as a behavior consultant for over six years helping individuals to reach their full potential. Her wide range of experience in healthcare and mental health brings a diverse skill set to assist clients from many backgrounds. Tricia is excited to be a part of the team of professionals at FBS!

My name is Velma Conwell. I am married to my husband of 33 years. I graduated with my bachelors in human services and a master’s degree in psychology. I have worked in the human service field for 35 years. I enjoy spending my free time with my children and grandchildren.