The School–based team is comprised of mental and behavioral health professionals that work together to support school initiatives around mental health in Boone County
Our goal is to work alongside school personnel to build capacity to deliver
effective support and services and meet student and school needs through a
coordinated multidisciplinary effort. Our model implements a scientifically
based model of prevention and intervention to improve youth’s well-being and
coordinate of services for at-risk youth and their families
Our Staff
Director of FACE School-Based Services
Sarah Owens (she/her)
Sarah Owens
While a Missouri native, most of my childhood was spent in Overland Park, Kansas. With roots in Missouri, I returned to complete my undergraduate degree at Drury University in Springfield, MO. From there, my education took me to Illinois, where I received my Master’s degree in Clinical Child and School Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).
After completing my master’s, I found myself back in Missouri, where I completed my Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of Missouri. Currently, I work as the Director of the Coalition and as an Assistant Teaching Professor in School Psychology at Mizzou, training future school psychologists. Throughout my career, I have worked as a Behavioral Health Specialist in East St. Louis Head Start Centers, provided individualized ABA therapy to children with autism in the home, worked in residential treatment facilities, and provided cognitive behavioral therapy to children and families across private practice and schools. All my work centers around children and families. Working in schools allows me to be where kids are every day to make an impact on their well-being and prevent long-term problems.
Outside of my work, I enjoy visiting my friends and family across Missouri and Kansas and spending time with my husband and daughter. In my spare time, you will find me watching NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), reading, writing, and trying new things (yoga, gardening, and hopefully pickleball soon!)
Contact Sarah
Regional Coordinator Team
Lou Ann Tanner-Jones
I’ve lived in Boone County for nearly all my life. Many generations of my family have lived in this area, and I have a profound respect and appreciation for these deep roots—that’s one reason the work we do for the community and FACE school-based team is so important to me. I grew up in Centralia and was very connected to small-town and rural life. I moved to Columbia in the 70s to attend college and earned my degrees from MU. I’ve worked in many facets of mental health since 1980. Beginning my career in private school, I moved to a residential facility, hospital, private clinic, nearly all Columbia public schools, and teaching at the university level. I have a PhD in School Psychology and am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. I retired from the Columbia, MO Public Schools in 2015, and in my last position, I was the Director of Special Services and Section 504 Coordinator.
After helping Dr. Reinke begin FACE school-based services (formerly known as BCSMHC/Coalition), I served as Director for 6 years. I am now partially retired and split my time between the Coalition and the National Center for Rural School Mental Health. The work of these two projects is the high point of my career. I care very deeply about the support and resources we provide to teachers, students, and families in our schools. Boone County has been home to generations of my family, and I am privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
Chelsea Clark
I was born and raised in the small town of Aledo, Illinois. Although I am an Illinois native, I love the St. Louis Cardinals! My passion for helping children started in college at Iowa State University, where I studied as an undergraduate in the psychology program during the day and as a youth athletic coach in the evenings. When I graduated, I knew I wanted a career that combined my love for the two. I continued my education at the University of Missouri (M-I-Z!) and obtained a graduate degree in School Psychology. I am going on my ninth year with the FACE School-Based Services and my fifth year as the Director of Assessment. I am looking forward to continuing to provide analytic information to our team to better serve our students and families. When I’m not running data reports, you can find me chasing around my two kids or volunteering at our church/preschool.
Aly Sansoucie
I was born and raised in a suburb outside of St. Louis and moved to Columbia in 2012 to attend Central Methodist University. While there, I earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and history, with a minor in education, and I was a member of the CMU Co-Ed Cheerleading squad (Go Eagles!). For the first 6 years of my career, I was an In-School Suspension and Student Support teacher in Wentzville, MO, in the same district where I graduated high school! This experience shaped me like no other. I had the opportunity to help our building and district rethink how we look at suspension at the secondary level and help build systems that support all students. Through my tenure in the classroom, I developed a passion for studying and learning ways that schools could adapt a trauma-informed lens when working with students and learn ways to effectively de-escalate students and intervene in large-scale crises. This motivated me to receive my M.A. in Human Services Counseling- Crisis Intervention and Trauma and my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Community Care Counseling-Traumatology. Having the opportunity to now work for FACE school-based services and funnel all my passions into this career has been a dream come true. Above all things, I want to be an advocate for students and teachers!
My husband and I moved back to Columbia in August of 2022. My husband had the opportunity to come back home to Mizzou and coach the Swim and Dive team and give back to the program that gave him so much. The University of Missouri holds such a near and dear place in our hearts; fun fact we got engaged on campus in front of Townsend Hall during MU Homecoming. We are beyond excited to be back in the place we love (and closer to our favorite sushi spot and Flatbranch)! In my free time, I enjoy baking, making flower arrangements, decorating, playing board games, coaching Ridgeway Elementary Cheer, trying new coffee shops, soaking up time with my family, traveling, watching Mizzou Sports (Go Tigers!), and spending time with our two dogs Brandy and Sushi!
Jessica Burbridge
I grew up in Harrisburg, MO; the daughter of an elementary principal and a high school English teacher. I am a Mizzou graduate and later earned my master’s degree from Stephens College. My entire career has been dedicated to working with children and families. I started out working for Coyote Hill Children’s Home, a home for abused and neglected children. I then spent the next 16 years working for the Harrisburg School District, the last nine as a professional school counselor. As a school counselor, I have been involved with the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition from the beginning stages. I have seen firsthand the impact of the Coalition’s collaboration with local schools and am excited to be a part of that work. I love working with school teams to support students and teachers. Nothing is more exciting than helping develop a plan and then seeing it work!
My husband Brad and I have two daughters, Abigail and Lindsey. I enjoy the spring and summer and all the wonderful opportunities to be outside those seasons. I love growing flowers, being in the pool, and spending time with friends and family on a deck, porch, or patio. I am an animal lover and especially love my own pets. We have a standard poodle named Winnie, a yellow lab named Cosmo, and two cats, Marshmallow and Nala.
Tara Collier
My family and I moved to Columbia from Atchison, Kansas, in 1981; this is where my relationship with Columbia Public Schools formally started. I attended Fairview Elementary and West Junior High and graduated from Hickman High in 1992. Upon graduation, I attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO, on an athletic scholarship for both softball and basketball. I graduated in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in Alcohol and Drug Studies. After college, I began my career at Charter Behavioral Health, working in the Intake/Needs Assessment department. During this time, I realized my passion for helping and working with children and families. In 1999, I began my graduate work at the University of Missouri School of Social Work. In May 2001, I received my master’s degree in social work. Most of my career has centered around working with children and families in various capacities. I worked 5 years at University Behavioral Health and ended my time there as a supervisor in the Adolescent Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center (CPRC). Additionally, I spent 9 years as a homeschool communicator in Columbia Public Schools. Over the last 8 years, I have been privileged to be a part of FACE School Based Services (also known as Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition) as a Regional Coordinator. FACE is a multidisciplinary collaboration among Boone County’s six independent school districts and the University of Missouri to promote the mental health and well-being of all children in our county.
In all my free time, I spend time with my three amazing daughters, Madalyn and twins Kyndall and Kyndra. We spend our time playing and watching sports, and cooking. baking, trying new restaurants, and enjoying family. I am also looking forward to becoming a grandmother in July 2023.
Becky Hart
Born in Upstate New York, I have been calling Missouri “home” since 1995. While growing up in O’Fallon, I always had an interest in both mental health and helping others. I first moved to Columbia in 2007 to obtain my bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Missouri. In 2015, I moved back to Columbia to pursue my master’s degree in social work at Mizzou. While in graduate school, I was able to put my social work skills into practice by working at the LGBTQ Resource Center on campus and the Integrated Behavioral Health Clinic, providing free therapy to adults in and around Boone County. I was fortunate enough to work with the FACE school-based team as a practicum student during my final semester of graduate school. During this time, I felt connected to the mission of the Coalition and knew I wanted to continue this work. I have been with the Coalition since 2017 and enjoy getting to work with all aspects of the school system. I have a specific interest in LGBTQIA+ inclusivity within schools and use this passion to train school staff on LGBTQIA+ diversity and inclusivity. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling the world with my wife, and spending time with our many cats and dog.
Nick Lazechko
I earned my Ed.S. in School Psychology from the University of Missouri and am a regional coordinator with FACE. I love that through this job, I get to support students who are struggling with anxiety and OCD and that I can support schools implementing universal behavior and mental health practices that prevent the development of problems down the road for students. You can find me climbing, camping, or playing blues guitar when I am not working.
Dennisa Niles
My mid-Missouri roots are deep, as I was born and raised here in Columbia. I attended Columbia Public Schools for all my school-aged education and then went on to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Missouri. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger, am I right? Growing up here in Columbia, I naturally gained a love for this city and the community. In addition to my love for the tigers, I grew up in a family that worked in education. I witnessed the passion and love they had for helping students. As I have grown to carve out my own path, I have always had an interest and passion for mental health. Through my experiences, I witnessed families and students struggling without a place to turn for help. I truly believe that children spend almost half of their time in school, which creates an amazing opportunity for people in the education setting to positively influence student’s lives.
My husband and I have a 1-year-old son. He is our whole world and keeps us on our toes! In my free time, you can find me chasing him around the backyard, boating on any body of water, hiking to find another beautiful view, or spending time with our family that lives just 5 minutes down the road. I am so thankful to be part of this amazing team, and I look forward to supporting staff and students in Boone County.
Lindsay Oetker
As a Columbia native, I appreciate the opportunity to work within the same school district that educated me as a student (go Fairview Falcons, Smithton Wildcats, West Vikings, and Hickman Kewpies!). Prior to earning a master’s degree in social work in 2014, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mongolia. I had the opportunity to co-teach with Mongolian teachers and develop youth programs. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and joined the FACE school-based team in 2015. I love the classroom and appreciate the opportunities that school systems implement to promote social and emotional learning.
I enjoy cycling on the Katy Trail, hiking at Rockbridge State Park, baking scrumptious cakes, doing yoga, and eating at Sparky’s Ice Cream!
Kelly Off
Originally from out of state, my family transplanted to Columbia in 2009. Both of our sons attended Columbia Public Schools, including Russell Boulevard, Gentry, and Rock Bridge High School. I have worked in education since 2002, when I graduated from Western Illinois University with my bachelor’s in education. As I evolved in my teaching career, I earned a master’s in education from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and then a second master’s in counseling from Stephens College here in Columbia. My journey has taken me from teacher to school counselor to Regional Coordinator at BCSMHC and FACE of Boone County. This opportunity affords me the chance to help in many capacities in the school setting. In addition, I have a small private practice where I work some evenings.
When I am not engrossed in work, I spend time outside gardening, reading, or hanging in the pool with my husband, Matt, two sons, and two dogs.
Kim Selders
I was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. After getting a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drury University, I earned a master’s degree in school psychology from University of California, Berkeley. I returned to Missouri to practice as a School Psychologist for Columbia Public Schools for 5 years. Since that time, I have worked at Columbia College as Director of Disability Services, the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a Training and Autism Assessment Specialist, FACE School-Based Services as a Family Intervention Specialist, and now in my current role as Regional Coordinator for FACE School-Based Services. I am also a part-time PhD student in the Special Education department at Mizzou, with an emphasis on Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Autism.
I am so proud to be part of the FACE School-Based Services team, dedicated to serving youth mental health in our area. As a Regional Coordinator, I love being able to support school teams, teachers, and students in working toward their own goals! I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband and two fantastic sons, who keep me very busy and bring me so much joy! I like to dance ballet, read books, and spend time outdoors in my free time.
Family Intervention Specialist Team
Sandy Miller
Bio Coming Soon.
Whitani Beck
I fell in love with the field of Psychology while I was pursuing my Associate of Arts degree from Longview Community College and volunteering for Special Olympics. I received my bachelor’s in psychology from Northwest Missouri State University in December of 2009 and also adopted my dog, Bella Rae. The following year, I became extremely ill; I quit my job and moved back home to Grain Valley, MO. I spent 2011 fighting for my life!! Once my health improved, I wanted a fresh start, and that led me to move to Columbia, MO, where my sister was residing. With the mindset that I had nothing to lose, I applied to Stephens College. While I was going to school to get my master’s, I worked full-time at an adolescent rehab, first as a tech, then as a case manager, and finally as a Drug and Alcohol Certified Counselor. In 2013 I met my husband (and Bella approved of him), so we started dating. Then in 2014, I graduated from Stephens College with my Master of Education in Counseling and began working with children in the foster care system. I became a provisionally licensed counselor in 2015 and worked in various settings such as the Juvenile Justice System, After School/Summer Programs, and Public Schools. I became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in 2017, the same year I married my husband. Prior to becoming a Family Intervention Specialist in Columbia Public Schools, we adopted our second dog, Texas Toast.
Shonna Bexten
I was born and raised in Missouri near the Rolla/Newburg area. I completed my undergraduate degree from Drury University and then earned my master’s degree in education from Missouri Baptist University.
As I completed my degree, I also acquired my School Psychological Examiner certification. In 2015, I became a board-certified behavior analyst through the University of West Florida. Throughout my career, I have worked in school systems in a variety of roles, including School Psychological Examiner, Special Education Process Coordinator, Behavior Interventionist, and Behavior Analyst. These roles have allowed me to work with school teams to provide evidenced-based interventions rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis for students with behavior needs, develop programming for children with Autism, complete special education and gifted evaluations, and promote early intervention and positive, proactive solutions.
My husband Jeremy and I have one son Carter. Outside of work, we stay busy with all things sports-related. We enjoy watching Mizzou Sports, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the KC Chiefs.
Jeris Bobo
I was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. My family moved to Columbia, Missouri, in August of 2022, when I started working as a Family Intervention Specialist (FIS) for the FACE school-based team. I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work from Kansas State University in 2014 and still enjoy being a Wildcat fan! I then graduated with my master’s degree in social work from The University of Kansas in 2017. Since graduating, I have gained experience working in the child welfare system, specifically on reintegration of foster children, and then went on to be a school social worker while also working as a medical social worker in the evenings and weekends. I have had the pleasure of working with children in all aspects, including working with them during challenging times and helping them to manage their feelings and emotions. Working with youth is my passion, and the opportunity to help in schools has allowed this work to happen.
My husband and I stay very busy with our 3 children in my free time. We have a 12-year-old son, a 4-year-old daughter, and a 2-year-old daughter. We spend a great deal of time at their activities, including baseball and gymnastics. I enjoy walking and being active outside. My family and I also enjoy traveling, whether back home to Kansas or exploring new cities and states.
Kendall Dewein
Bio Coming Soon.
Jess Rauls
Though I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri, my partner and I have called Columbia “home” since 2013. I originally moved to Columbia to attend Stephens College, where I obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I earned my LPC title and gained experience working with children, teens, and adults in private practice settings. I joined the FACE School-Based Services Family Intervention Specialist (FIS) team in August of 2021. I am honored to be working within the Columbia Elementary School system and with the coalition, providing early and accessible intervention to students and their families. I have met and had the pleasure of working with so many fabulous students, school staff, and fellow coalition members in my time here, and I am eager to see what each new year holds. Before joining FACE School-Based Services in the FIS capacity, I started my private practice as a counselor for children, teens, and adults who presented with a wide range of life experiences and circumstances. Though I absolutely love my work in schools as an FIS, I could not walk away from private practice entirely, so I still maintain my small private practice on the side.
When I am not busy as a FIS or seeing clients, I enjoy spending time with my partner, riding our two horses, enjoying the company of our various animal companions, immersing myself in nature, and curling up with coffee and a good book.
Megan Sapp
Born and raised on the East Coast, my family found their way to Columbia, MO, when I was a Junior in High School. I graduated from Hickman High School and then received my bachelor’s in health sciences from the University of Missouri (GO TIGERS!!). My journey led me towards teaching preschool, a wild and fulfilling experience. While I had always worked with children, this experience allowed me to hone my skills in supporting behavior and child development. I discovered a passion for wanting to support children in developing social emotional skills. I wanted to continue to develop my skills and find a way to positively impact and support systems that work with children. I earned my master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri and have since become a Licensed Master’s Social Worker I am on track to complete my clinical licensure. I then worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Columbia, providing individual counseling, developing social emotional curriculum, and assisting in creating cultures that support youth mental health. This journey led me to join the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition as a Family Intervention Specialist. I am thrilled to be a part of this team! As a new mom, I love spending time with my daughter! Our family loves anything outdoors (especially the water!), discovering new local eats, and romping around with our four large and fluffy dogs.
Graduate Student Clinicians
