Families First and Children's Museum Missoula

families first staff

Meet our great staff! These experienced and dedicated people bring their passion for enriching the lives of families to work everyday. Whether you’re looking for advice for helping a teething toddler or a testing teen, or your family seeks a fun place for their little ones to explore and play – these are the people who are there to listen, teach and create programs that are helpful, safe and inclusive of all families.

	Coco Ballew, Families First Executive Director Coco Ballew has been the executive director of Families First since fall 2008. She brings to this job 20 years of experience in non-profit management and journalism with the goal of developing a strong base of community support for this important organization. Her academic background includes a bachelor of arts in history at New Mexico State University, and an internship with American University at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. She and her family moved to Missoula in 2005 where she was happy to jump into the roles of hockey, soccer and tennis mom for a few years. With her two teenagers getting close to leaving the nest, she hopes to one day return to the University of Montana to finish her MBA. Coco derives inspiration from the dedicated team of parent educators and programming staff, and the irrepressible enthusiasm of the kids and families at the Families First Children’s Museum. Email me>>
	Dolan McCarter, Families First Operations Manager
	Dara Newman, M.A. in Counseling Parenting Programs Manager Dara has worked with families since 1995 in a diversity of settings. She has been a school counselor, has introduced conflict resolution curricula into local schools, and is a certified mediator. Her philosophy embraces the positive discipline approach: children that feel that they are valuable family members will become responsible, cooperative, self-disciplined individuals capable of independent problem solving. As the mother of three, she profoundly understands the complexities of raising children: working with each child’s individual temperament and navigating the intricate interactions within families. Dara is available to discuss issues on the phone, and meet individually or in a group setting, to help parents discover specific parenting strategies leading to a more peaceful home. In addition, Dara is knowledgeable in areas of adoption, emotional regulation and tantrums, conflict resolution, and grief. Dara believes that with good communication skills, clear firm limits, and unconditional love, we can be the best—but not perfect!—parents that we can be. Email me>>
	Kimberly Baker, Children's Museum Manager Kimberly loves working as Museum Manager at the Children’s Museum. She draws energy from the fun and lively environment around her, and loves experiencing the world through the children’s eyes every day. Kimberly earned her BA in Behavioral Studies and Health from the University of Utah, and has worked in a variety of environments managing customers, clients and patients. Kimberly and her husband love calling Missoula home, and are raising two beautiful and brilliant daughters, ages 6 and 8, who adore visiting the museum. She loves the skiing, biking and river running that Western Montana offers, and gets out in the fresh air as often as possible. Tidbit: Kimberly not-so-secretly loves to hula hoop! Email Me>>
	Katie Ghen Simpson, Marketing Manager Katie adores working as the Marketing Manager for Families First. She is never afraid to take on new challenges and thrives on the colorful and fun world that is Families First. Katie received her BS in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Montana. She enjoys utilizing her marketing expertise towards the greater good. Email me>>
	Katie Deuel, MS, MSW, Co-Parenting Consultant Katie is a professionally trained mediator, with a Master's of Social Work and an emphasis on families and divorce. Katie is a mother of two. Katie's background is in education, facilitation, organizational development and collaborative problem-solving in the non-profit sector. Raised in the mid-west, Katie has lived in the west since 1989. Email me >>
	Heidi Kendall Children's Museum Program & Volunteer Coordinator Heidi has been a big fan of Families First since her children, now middle schoolers, were toddlers. She volunteered with a group of parents who started the children's museum back in 2001, with Families First providing critical support, and served as its first director. Heidi served a term on the Missoula City Council and worked at the University of Montana Foundation. She loves being a part of Families First again! Email me>>
	Jordan Green Families First Parenting Programs Coordinator Jordan was born and raised in Libby, MT. This is her third year with Families First as an office assistant. She is in her junior year at the University of Montana, currently pursuing a degree in accounting. Not sure if she is interested in being an accountant, she is interested in the business field. Email me>
	Sara Polanchek, MSW, Parent Educator Sara has been a Parent Educator for eight years. She led workshops with Families First before joining the staff in December 2008. She holds a Masters of Social Work with a specialization in administration from Arizona State University. A native Missoulian, Sara has come home to raise her two boys ages 8 and 6. She prescribes to the Positive Discipline style of parenting and is currently studying a practice called Parenting From the Heart. In addition, Sara loves teaching tired families healthy sleep habits. Sara is available to answer questions to you over the phone, meet with you in person for a consultation, or to lead a workshop for you and your friends in your home! Email me>>
	Waganesh Zeleke, Parent Educator Waganesh is a Ph.D., student in Developmental Psychology and Mental Health Counseling (Individualized Interdisciplinary program) at the University of Montana. She holds two Master’s degrees in Intercultural Youth and Family Development and Special Education from the University of Montana and Addis Ababa University, respectively, and a B.A degree in Pedagogical Science from Bahir Dar University. As a Predoctoral Counseling Psychology Intern here at Family First, Waganesh provides individual and group consultations, and a cross-cultural parenting class to parents who are parenting or will parent a child adopted from another culture or with a cultural background different from their own, and immigrant families who raise a child in a new culture. Waganesh is originally from Ethiopia.
	Kelsey Nelson, Families First Bookkeeping Assistant Email me>
	Megan Wallace, Children's Museum Assistant Manager Megan is thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic team of individuals dedicated to Montana's families. She received her B.A. in Studio Art from Whitman College. She has lived in many places, including Florence, Italy, before settling here in Missoula with her husband and two cats, Bella and Boo, in 2007. Megan is a firm believer in being yourself and that creativity is essential in life. She brings her volunteer experience working with children through Americorps and over 8 years of experience working with the public. Look for her smile during the week when you visit the museum! Email me>>