Leadership

Honoring our cherished friend Jupiter, whose love and companionship touched everyone at NL Connections. His friendship made our days brighter, and his memory will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We will miss him dearly.

Leadership

 
Jeffery D. Janney, LCSW, MSSA - Executive Director, Licensed Therapy Provider

  • Executive Director, Licensed Therapy Provider

    Jeff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 35 years of experience as a solution-focused clinician. He received his Bachelors’ degree in Psychology from Wittenberg University in 1989 and Masters of Science in Social Administration from Case Western University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in 1994. Jeff has worked in various treatment settings throughout his career including psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment, in-home/community, and clinic. He specializes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including behavioral assessment & supports as well as teaching social learning skills. Jeff is a trauma-informed clinician and specializes in treating individuals with a range of trauma-related conditions including developmental trauma, PTSD, anxiety, phobias, depression, anger issues, and acute stress reaction. Jeff is skilled in facilitating EMDR and has specialized training and certification in mindfulness practice and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Jeff is also the owner of Northland Social & Behavioral Supports.

Sheri Edwards/Board Treasurer

Sheri is retired from Hallmark Cards after working many years in sales and marketing, both full and part-time.  Sheri has been married to her husband Marc for 36 years and has three adult children, one who has special abilities.  It can be a full-time job to manage the extra challenges that having a child with different abilities presents, from paperwork to the emotional impact on the family.  By serving these individuals and families through Northland Connections, it is Sheri's hope to bring about a brighter future for all involved.   

Betty Krah

Betty Krah received her bachelor’s in Rehabilitation Education from Penn State University.  She started her professional career in Pennsylvania in 1979. 

Job duties included Vocational Evaluator, Work floor Supervisor, Evaluation Specialist at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital. 

She moved to Kansas City in 1993 and worked for 6 years as a Traumatic Brain Injury Evaluator at Goodwill. For the past 23 years she also worked at Platte County Board of Services, first as a Service Coordinator and then a supervisor of case management. As PCBS grew and reorganized, she played critical roles in the development of Platte County Connections and the Endowment Fund Project. Both of these have assisted individuals with respite, sensory needs, conferences and the like. She retired in 2023.

When asked to join the board of Northland Connections, Betty jumped at the opportunity to continue to serve people with Developmental Disabilities in yet another way.

Betty has served on a number of local committees and board including a secretary board position at Center for the Developmentally Disabled. She has volunteered with 

Special Olympics bowling, bocce, track and field and basketball. Betty enjoys reading, ancestry, and hanging with her grandchildren. She has a beautiful 4-year-old Golden Retriever, Lizee.  

 
 

  • Board President

    Jessica has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Kansas State University and earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Jessica then fulfilled licensing and exam requirements to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over the past twelve years, she has experience providing services in a variety of for-profit and non-profit settings. Jessica has worked with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities for over ten years and has been the Director at Northland Social & Behavioral Supports for four years. She also volunteers as a Tri County-Crisis Intervention Team presenter to provide education and training to law enforcement personnel on autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, three children and two dogs! She enjoys being outdoors and working out.

    Jessica knows the services that Northland Connections, Inc. provides are the answers to countless requests and pleas from clients and their families throughout the years. She is excited for this opportunity and strives to see Northland Connections, Inc. positively impact the function and quality of life of everyone we serve.

Christine Daw, BA

Christine Daw received her bachelor’s in Sociology with a certificate in Developmental Disabilities Studies from UMKC.  She has over 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector.  For the past 11 years she has worked at Platte County Board of Services, first as a Service Coordinator and currently as a resource manager.

Christine has served on a number of local committees and board including Northland Community Services Coalition, Greater Kansas City Deafblind Collaborative, Northland Grandfamilies, The Mobility Advisory Committee and Advocates for Barrier-free Communities.

Christine is a bibliophile (a lover and collector of books). She enjoys making things with her hands including quilting, sewing, painting, and even hand-binding books & journals.  When asked to join the board of Northland Connections, Christine jumped at the opportunity to serve people with Developmental Disabilities in yet another way.