Our Families

We are currently recruiting volunteers to be Host Families, Family Coaches, Family Friends, and Resource Friends. We take a team approach to volunteering so that no volunteer feels alone or overwhelmed. The vetting process includes an application, three references, and three background checks (FBI and KS State fingerprinting, child abuse clearance).

Our Churches

Local churches play a significant role in recruiting volunteers from their church family. They are integral to supporting those families as they serve and reach out to families in need. Churches of all sizes and various denominational or non-denominational backgrounds are active partners with Safe Families for Children.

If you are interested in your church becoming partners with the Safe Families movement, please contact us (kansas@safefamilies.net)

Our Team

Our amazing volunteers are the ones who take the Safe Families for Children movement into the community. But they can’t do it alone. They are supported by a staff of professionals passionately investing their lives in engaging churches, building the base of volunteers, transitioning children, family coach supervision, vetting and training volunteers, and so much more.

Tammy Thomas

Kansas State Director

Tammy Thomas serves as Kansas – Regional Director. She has served Kansas within the Department for Children and Families as Regional Director and Statewide Long Term Care Liaison. Tammy professional career in Nuclear Medicine Technology has been spent at The University of Kansas Medical Center, Texas Heart Group, and Presbyterian Hospital of Plano. She and her husband of 33 years have been blessed with three, now adult children. Tammy and her family believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. All things are possible and nothing is too large or too small for our Lord.

Nora P. Frontaura

Centralized Administrative Assistant

Nora Frontaura has been serving with Safe Families for Children since July 2022, providing administrative support to the Kansas team. She plays a vital role in processing volunteer applications and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across the state.

A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez, Nora met her husband of 46 years while in college. As the wife of a U.S. Air Force veteran, she has lived across the U.S. and Central America, experiences that have shaped her deep appreciation for diverse cultures. Known for her “mi casa es su casa” attitude, Nora’s Puerto Rican heritage shines through in sharing her culture and cooking with others and treasures time with her children and energetic grandchildren.

Nora is passionate about serving others and takes great joy in supporting the team members working directly with families in need. Her favorite verse is Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Erin Wimpey

Centralized Intake Supervisor and Family Services Director

Erin is the Centralized Intake Supervisor and Family Services Director for Safe Families for Children Kansas. She began her journey with Safe Families Kansas in 2024, following 29 years of experience in various child welfare positions in Nebraska and Kansas.

Erin earned her bachelor’s degree in social work in 1995 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and has been a licensed social worker in the state of Kansas since January 2002. She has a passion for helping others know their value, overcome trials, and grow into who God created them to be. Erin and her husband value time with their family and faith community. They have a gift for hospitality and have hosted numerous individuals and small groups in their home over the years.

Erin is dedicated to helping Safe Families serve children and families with compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, and love, as described in Colossians 3:12–14.

Alexis Drinovsky

Centralized Intake Specialist

Alexis has been with Safe Families for Children since February 2025 as the Centralized Intake Specialist for the state of Kansas. She serves as the initial point of contact for parents and families seeking services—aiming to be a safe space for every individual she has the pleasure of serving.

Alexis was adopted out of the foster care system as a child and is committed to using her story and experiences to support other families and children. Her passion for people has led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with the goal of helping others overcome their traumas.

She enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, Saylor. Together, they love trying food trucks, visiting farmers markets, and watching shows on rainy days.

Grant Roesner

Church & Community Engagement Coordinator

Grant joined Safe Families for Children in October of 2025. He is originally from Overland Park, KS, and is a graduate of Baker University in Baldwin city, KS, where he was a member of the track in cross country team. Grant brings a passion for connecting churches with meaningful opportunities to serve vulnerable children and families. His heart for ministry and community engagement drives his work to build strong partnerships with local volunteers. Grant is committed to be a source of hope, healing, practical support for those in need.

Russ Hightower

Kansas City Metro Area Director

Russ is the Chapter Director for the KC Metro region and joined Safe Families for Children in March, 2021 where he began work in the areas of Intake, Church & Community Engagement, and Family Coaching. Russ is a K-State graduate and while most of his professional career was in Corporate HR, it was his later roles as a middle school educator, behavioral interventionist, and as a foster / adoptive parent that drew his heart into the vision and mission of Safe Families.  

Russ and his wife, Tiffany, have two (young adult) children they adopted from foster care, and are now grandparents. They live in Shawnee and attend Westside Family Church in Lenexa where they helped plant the seeds and grow a thriving foster & adoption ministry. 

Russ’s happy place is the kitchen where he loves to cook and entertain. He also loves to bring smiles to people’s faces through compassion and humor. And one of his favorite scriptures is Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”    

Heather Northrop

Kansas City Metro Family Coach

Heather Northrop serves as a family coach in the Kansas City metro area. She spent a decade abroad, engaging the least reached people groups of the Middle East through YWAM. Having grown-up without a father, and an estranged mother, she made it her life mission to fight to have a home that reflected the image of God, with two dedicated parents that loved their children recklessly. She believes that this is her highest call apart from walking with God daily.

Her professional career  when stateside, took her into the public school system to work with the behavioral needs of preteens and through God‘s providence into fostering countless youth. She adores the local church and sees it as a mission field. She has led large group women’s discipleship gatherings, as well as intimate small groups in homes.

She and her husband of 26 years have two beautiful adult daughters and one grandson. One of her favorite lessons learned is “ I must have equal time on my knees, to time on my feet.” She cherishes the global prayer movement and knows that prayer, whether corporate or individual is the most effective strategy for any movements relevance this side of Heaven.

“I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us so that the world will recognize that you sent me.” -Jesus from 
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭21‬ ‭

Sherry Koehn

Wichita Engagement Coordinator

Sherry joined the Safe Families For Children Team in 2022. Prior to her role at Safe Families, Sherry worked and served as Small Group Coordinator, Women’s Ministries Lead, and Community Bible Study Lead at South Valley Community Church in Lemoore, CA. She also worked at Kings Gospel Mission, a ministry focused on serving the homeless in the Central Valley of California. She attended Friends University, and has over 25 years experience in church ministry.

Sherry has a passion for connecting and helping people. Her desire is to help people find how God has uniquely gifted them to help others. In her free time, Sherry enjoys spending time with her adult children, walking, listening to 70’s rock, and hanging out with family and friends.

One of her favorite verses is Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Grace Lozoya

Wichita Family Coach Supervisor

Grace is a Family Coach Supervisor who’s passionate about helping people navigate life’s more challenging moments with clarity and compassion.

Whether it’s supporting families through tough transitions or offering a listening ear, she believes in showing up with heart, humor, and honesty. When she’s not in coaching mode, you can find her chasing around her one year old, and reading books!

Jenna Stout

Southeast Kansas Area Director

Jenna joined Safe Families for Children in Southeast Kansas in May 2023 as a Family Coach Supervisor and became Area Director in 2024. A lifelong Southeast Kansas resident, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Southern State University and has served in family practice, labor and delivery, and home health.

She and her husband, Andrew—a youth minister of 13 years—have raised five children and embraced foster care and adoption as a calling. Their journey has shaped her deep compassion for families in crisis and fueled her passion for the mission of Safe Families.

Jenna loves supporting parents, equipping volunteers, and creating spaces where families feel seen and loved. Outside of work, Jenna and her family enjoy board games, camping, basketball, traveling, and spending time with extended family. She believes every family deserves hope—and someone who believes in them until they can believe in themselves.

Her life and leadership are guided by Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Mallory Hodges

Southeast Kansas Community Engagement Coordinator

Mallory holds a degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. 

Mallory has always had a desire to create environments where every child feels safe, valued, and loved. She is honored to serve alongside Safe Families for Children, working to strengthen and preserve families within her community.

Outside of her professional role, Mallory is the proud wife of Jordan, a pastor, and the devoted mother of three children. 

Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward”.

Blake Miller

Southeast Kansas Family Services Coordinator

Blake began with Safe Families as a Host Family in 2023. In May of 2024 she came on staff and currently is the Family Services Coordinator for SEK.  Her passion for Safe Families runs deep, having lived a short time in an out-of-home placement while her brave and selfless parents navigated a crisis through no fault of their own, she understands firsthand the impact of compassionate support.

As she graduates this fall with a MS Psychology and has a background in Christian apologetics, Blake is devoted to walking alongside families with both wisdom and faith. She feels called to care for families in her community through the love of the Lord, offering encouragement and resources in times of need.

Outside of work, Blake cherishes time with husband and their five children.

She leans on Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Marque English

Southeast Kansas Family Coach

As a Family Coach with Safe Families for Children – Kansas since March 2025, Marque works to support families in crisis and help bring communities together to walk hand in hand toward support and restoration.

Marque earned his Master’s degree from Pittsburg State University and has a strong foundation in family and community care. His passion is to help keep families united and build supportive bridges within local communities—ensuring no family has to face challenges alone.

Marque enjoys working out, slow espresso mornings, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and embracing new adventures. His Scripture to live by: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6.

Melissa Buhlre

North Central Kansas Chapter Director

Melissa is the North Central Kansas Chapter Director in Kansas. She and her husband (Berkley) of 36 years live in the Salina area. They have three adult children and eight very adored grandchildren. They fill their spare time with their grandchildren’s activities and family. They love to host events and never run out of reasons to celebrate someone! Melissa and Berkley enjoy serving in various capacities at their church, and worship time is their favorite way to spend time together. 

Melissa has worked in the family services field with vulnerable families and children for about 30 years. She is honored to be part of a ministry that serves as the hands and feet of Jesus in the community and looks forward to seeing what the Lord will do with the North Central Region. Exacting change in process and thought is indeed radical, and what a wonderful opportunity to share the love that Jesus calls us to. 

Brittany Willer

North Central Kansas Community & Church Engagement Coordinator

Brittany carries a God-given call to serve the underserved and encourage those in hard seasons. She connects churches, volunteers, and families in crisis so children can stay safe and together. Married to Thaine—a middle school teacher and basketball coach—they’re raising two sons, Brayden (15) and Beckham (12).

With a background in development for ministries focused on homeless rehabilitation and youth, Brittany now helps churches in North Central Kansas catch the vision for the Safe Families movement. She also serves her community as a board member of the Salina Area Emergency Aid Food Bank, VVP of Noon Network AMBUCS, and vocalist on the Crosspoint Worship Team.

Off the clock, she enjoys crafting and refinishing furniture—restoring broken things to their beauty, much like her heart for restoring hope, dignity, and stability for families.

Lane Mills

North Central Kansas Family Coach

Lane joined Safe Families for Children as a Family Coach in October 2025, bringing years of experience helping people in tough places. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Religion with a minor in Family Counseling from Liberty University and has spent more than a decade in ministry and nonprofit work, including six years in pastoral ministry and four years with the Salina Rescue Mission.

Lane is passionate about helping people find freedom through Jesus and building supportive, faith-filled communities. He and his wife enjoy cheering on their six kids, and when he’s not on the sidelines, you might find him behind a camera or working under a car hood. One of his favorite scriptures, 1 Corinthians 13:4–5, reminds him how Jesus loves us and how we’re called to love one another. “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs.”