The Whole Person : Core Services : Independent Living Skills Training : Employment Services : Meet the Team

Meet the Employment Services Team

TWP’s Employment Services Department is excited about the new year to come and confident of our growth and potential.

We want to thank each and every member of the VR staff we work with and we look forward to our continuing partnership!

Members of our Team

Katie Crump

Employment Services Manager

Katie began working at TWP as a Supported Employment Specialist in July 2014. In July 2017, she transitioned to Employment Services Manager. Katie has experience working with youth diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Prior to her work with TWP, she worked as a site coordinator for a program called Fun and Fitness with Friends which focused on social skill intervention for children and youth with developmental disabilities. Katie received her B.A. in Social Work from Avila University and has a dual LBSW in the state of Missouri and Kansas.

Kari Chester

Employment Specialist

Kari has been with TWP since August of 2016 as an Employment Specialist. Her focus has been in serving Youth Transition referrals. Kari is excited to work with The Kansas City Metro area VR Offices and help clients both ES and SE connect with the right job for them. Prior to working with TWP, Kari worked for 10 years in missions and community work in Romania and Germany serving youth and their families with schools, garden planning, job leads, micro enterprise and family health. Before that, Kari worked with at risk teens as a mentor and as a Youth Pastor. Kari received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Communications/Marketing with a minor in Biology and Broadcasting from Ottawa University.

Kayla Young

Employment Specialist

Kayla has been with TWP as an Employment Specialist since November 2018. Prior to this position, Kayla was an Employment Services Intern at TWP from August 2017- April 2018. Kayla received her BSW from Avila University in May 2018 and recently earned her MSW from Saint Louis University with a Clinical concentration in August 2019. While receiving her MSW, Kayla completed her practicum at Operation Breakthrough as a Family Advocate Intern from January 2019-September 2019. Currently, Kayla is stationed at the Kansas location primarily working with our Pre-Employment Transition (Pre-ETS) Program in Kansas. Pre-ETS is a work-based learning program for high school and transition aged students. Kayla individually works 1:1 with these students in Johnson, Wyandotte, and Leavenworth counties, in completing their work-based Learning experience.

Lea Klepees

Employment Specialist

Lea has worked at TWP since March 2016 where she started in the Resource Development Department. Since then, Lea has moved to the Employment Team where she works with clients in both Missouri and Kansas. As a person with a physical disability herself, Lea uses her personal experiences to help clients self-advocate and work toward their employment goals. Lea also volunteers on TWP’s Expressions Art Exhibition Committee, as well as facilitates TWP’s Life with SCI/D Peer Group. Lea received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Hawai’i.

Giovana Gallagher

Part-time Employment Specialist

Giovana began working at TWP as a Contract Job Coach in August 2019. She has worked with young adults on the Autism Spectrum, as well as young adults with learning disabilities who are transitioning into the competitive workforce. Giovana transitioned to a part-time position at The Whole Person as an Employment Specialist in December 2019. Giovana is an experienced Certified Spanish Medical Interpreter and her focus has always been working with underserved and disenfranchised populations. Giovana also has basic knowledge of American Sign Language and plans to continue her education with ASL.

Patrina Dixon

Part-time EmployAbilites Job Coach/Job Developer

Patrina joined TWP in April 2019 as a part-time Employment Specialist. In February 2020, Patrina transitioned to a job coach for TWP’s EmployAbilities program. Patrina has seven years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities in various settings. Prior to The Whole Person she worked at Easter Seals Midwest where she was a Team Lead and Instructor for Pre-Employment Services. Patrina has also worked as a Certified Employment Professional CESP.