Parent Educators
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Chris Bemis
Chris Bemis grew up on a cattle ranch in the mountains of Colorado. For work he's done residential construction, was in aviation search and rescue in the Coast Guard for 10 years, and am also a physical therapist. Chris enjoys virtually all forms of movement, indoors or out, and his primary outlet in this respect is ice hockey. Chris believes that mental and emotional resilience and relational work, with ourselves, our loved ones, and anybody we interact with, is some of the most important, life-changing stuff we can put our energy into. |
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April Charlo
Rancher, business owner, mom, comedian, storyteller and Maternal Mental Health Advocate, April Iris Charlo is a proud Bitterroot Salish woman and a member the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She recently co-founded “Snqweylmistn,” translated as “The Place Where One Does Their Best,” an organization that will take 30 children from the foster care system and raise them in an intentional community within “Forever Homes.” April credits her success to the decision 16 years ago to choose sobriety and is both humbled and honored to advance the development of Recovery Centers in Montana. Holder of an Associate's Degree in Native American Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership, her passion for Indigenous language revitalization is evidenced in her entertaining and informative Ted Talk at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kuC_IemiCs |
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Karen McNenny
Karen McNenny is a leading voice in the ever-growing field of human-behavior and relationship coaching. She is a certified Divorce Coach, Mediator, Co-Parenting Specialist, Crucial Conversations trainer, Gracious Space facilitator, and live global radio show host of The Good Divorce Show. With over 25 years of professional experience, Karen has supported a wide variety of groups in their efforts to improve workplace culture, employee engagement, and leadership excellence. She spent the early years of her career working as a trainer, facilitator, and coach for Providence Services, the largest healthcare system in the Northwest. Karen continues to support small and large businesses, non-profits and government agencies across the country. Through her signature Good Divorce Experience™, Karen also works with couples to learn not just how to get divorced, but how to be divorced. Her coaching program covers such fundamentals as financials and budgeting, child-centered decision-making, custody and transition planning, and the do’s and don’ts of navigating your new relationship with your former spouse. In addition to these enterprises, Karen also shares her expertise as a human behavior and relationship expert with the public through such venues as TEDx Talks and retreats focused on relationship renovation and post-divorce healing. Karen resides in Missoula, Montana with her two teen children and golden retriever Moab. |
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"I love that Families First offers so many different ways to make healthy connections, grow, and learn." |
Amy Friedman
Amy Friedman is passionate about helping individuals create sustainably healthy lives. She has been working with kids and adults to help encourage and develop self-acceptance, discipline, creativity, empowerment, and a zest for healthy living. Working as an art, theater, dance, and experiential educator, Amy creates dynamic classes and workshops that meet individuals where they are. As a counselor and educator for over twenty five years, she helps both kids and adults, in a variety of settings, develop their own sense of well-being and routines to stay balanced and whole on a physical, mental, social, and emotional level. May we all continue to live to our fullest potential by planting healthy seeds and watering them daily! |
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Jadd Davis
Jadd Davis (he/him) holds two master's degrees (Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Theatre) from the University of Montana, where he received the prestigious Bertha Morton award for his research into voice and identity development. Jadd's previous work at Families First includes a stint as Family Education Director and the principal administrator for Dads & Dialogue. He is a registered Circle of Security Parenting facilitator, a service he continues to provide. In summer 2024, Jadd relocated to the Pacific Northwest and works as an Associate Clinician for Catalyst Counseling in Woodinville. Prior to his clinical work, Jadd worked in the performing arts industry for 20 years as a professional actor, singer and educator. He is happily married with two wonderful children and a grumpy calico. |
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Kiersten Falck
Kiersten Falck grew up playing various sports and activities in a suburb of Minnesota. She played and captained Division I and Professional Women's Ice Hockey, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Princeton University and a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from University of Montana. My specialty is Family Communication, and she enjoys anything parenting related. In Missoula, Kiersten plays adult league hockey and coach littles in Learn to Play Hockey and young women on the U19 youth hockey team. Full time, Kiersten manages one of the youth shelters for Watson Children's Shelters. She is excited to continue learning with parents together to build stronger and happier families. |
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Lisa Firehammer
Lisa Firehammer has extensive experience partnering with Missoula families to support the growth and well-being of children in our community. She was a classroom teacher at UCCC Preschool, Lowell Elementary and Hawthorne Elementary schools. She also worked for many years as a Family Resource Center specialist at Hawthorne and Paxson schools, organizing events, promoting literacy and connecting families with resources to help them thrive. Additionally, she has supported adult learners at the University of Montana and in the Academic Success Program at the Lifelong Learning Center. |
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Melissa Eastlick
Hello! I am Melissa, and I have been working with parents for over 15 years. Parenting is by far the most incredible and humbling experience we as humans get to experience. Helping families learn new skills and develop strong and healthier attachments is work I love to do! |
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Michelle Nigh
Michelle Mandala Nigh has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and currently works as a Behavioral Health/Mental Health Coach for a mental health app called Ginger (Headspace Health). Much of her work with Ginger involves helping people reduce stress and develop healthier habits. Michelle came to the mental health field after a long career with the Missoula Children’s Theatre, including 4 years on tour as a Tour Actor/Director, driving a little red truck all over the USA and Canada. While on the road, she loved seeing the growth and confidence kids can experience in a short time with positive direction and step by step skill-building. A single mom of a teenage wonder boy, Michelle loves hiking, being active, self-development podcasts, and studying holistic health/nutrition and ancient spiritualities. |
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Ruth Guthrie
Ruth Guthrie is a graduate student in the Counselor Education program at University of Montana. Previously, she gained degrees in history and anthropology and has worked in community development in the areas of preservation and housing. Her primary interest is in counseling with children, especially those who have adverse lived experiences. Having grown up in Montana, she cares deeply about the health and well-being of our local communities. She believes that supporting families makes a positive difference, not only for children and their adults, but for the rest of the community as well. Ruth has extensive experience in mindfulness and meditation techniques and aims to integrate art therapy methods into her work as a counselor. |
Erika Koskela
Erika Koskela is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Tribes of California, and a descendant of the Chinook and Quinault tribes of Washington. She has lived in Montana for 20 years, mainly on the Flathead Reservation. Erika became involved with Nkwusm Immersion School in 2002 as a parent, where she proceeded to engage in Salish language revitalization as a board member, substitute teacher, cultural specialist, and student. In 2023, Erika joined the staff at Nkwusm, working in administration. In 2019 Erika cofounded Snqweylmistn, where she became the first employee of the organization as Chief Administrator. Erika started working for Families First last year, teaching parenting classes in partnership with Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Department of Human Resource Development.
Erika Koskela is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Tribes of California, and a descendant of the Chinook and Quinault tribes of Washington. She has lived in Montana for 20 years, mainly on the Flathead Reservation. Erika became involved with Nkwusm Immersion School in 2002 as a parent, where she proceeded to engage in Salish language revitalization as a board member, substitute teacher, cultural specialist, and student. In 2023, Erika joined the staff at Nkwusm, working in administration. In 2019 Erika cofounded Snqweylmistn, where she became the first employee of the organization as Chief Administrator. Erika started working for Families First last year, teaching parenting classes in partnership with Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Department of Human Resource Development.