Introduction
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) marked a historic milestone by presenting the first-ever awards recognizing exceptional contributions to behavioral health and child welfare throughout the state. These prestigious honors were unveiled during the fifth annual Behavioral Health and Children and Family Services Conference, which took place October 20–23 at the Bismarck Event Center.
The awards ceremony represented more than just recognition—it symbolized North Dakota’s commitment to strengthening mental health services, supporting families in crisis, and building resilient communities across the state. With the theme “Empower” guiding this year’s conference, the celebration highlighted professionals who dedicate their careers to transforming lives and creating lasting positive change.
Conference Highlights
The 2024 conference achieved unprecedented success, drawing a remarkable 1,415 attendees who participated both in-person and virtually. This record-breaking attendance demonstrates the growing recognition of behavioral health’s critical importance in modern healthcare and community services.
The four-day event featured presentations and workshops from 22 distinguished national and state experts, covering cutting-edge approaches to addiction treatment, child welfare best practices, and innovative mental health interventions. The conference received generous support from 57 sponsors, reflecting strong community and industry commitment to advancing behavioral health initiatives in North Dakota.
The “Empower” Theme
This year’s “Empower” theme resonated throughout every aspect of the conference, emphasizing how professionals can strengthen families, facilitate recovery journeys, and enhance overall well-being. The theme acknowledged that true empowerment comes from collaborative efforts, innovative thinking, and unwavering dedication to service excellence.
Fearless Roughrider Team Award
This distinguished award celebrates teams that exemplify courage, innovation, adaptability, and an unshakeable commitment to ethical practice. Two exceptional teams received this honor in the inaugural year.
ND Training Academy for Addiction Professionals (TAAP)
Under the visionary leadership of Denise Andress, the ND Training Academy for Addiction Professionals has revolutionized how North Dakota prepares the next generation of addiction counselors. TAAP’s apprenticeship-style training model provides students with hands-on experience while pursuing careers in addiction counseling.
The academy earned recognition for its exceptional inclusivity practices, responsiveness to diverse student needs, and success in expanding access to addiction counseling services throughout North Dakota’s rural and urban communities. By removing barriers to entry and providing comprehensive support, TAAP ensures that qualified professionals can serve in communities that desperately need addiction treatment expertise.
Roughrider North Human Service Zone Child Welfare Team
Led by Lisa Giese, this remarkable team serves five counties across North Dakota, working tirelessly to support vulnerable families, build on existing strengths, and promote long-term family stability. Their results speak volumes about their effectiveness and dedication.
Since 2019, the team’s comprehensive approach has contributed to an impressive 43% reduction in children placed in foster care—a statistic that represents hundreds of families kept together and children who avoided the trauma of separation. Beyond direct service delivery, the team actively engages communities to recruit qualified foster families and strengthens partnerships with local organizations, creating a robust support network for families in need.
Legendary Service Award
This award honors professionals who have dedicated 10 or more years to serving North Dakotans, whose expertise has profoundly impacted countless lives throughout their careers.
Janette Yoder: 37 Years of Dedication
Janette Yoder from Burleigh Human Service Zone represents the gold standard of child protection services. With an extraordinary 37 years in child protection, Yoder has touched countless families during their most vulnerable moments.
Colleagues and community members praise Yoder for her exceptional compassion, mentorship abilities, and steadfast commitment to supporting children and families through challenging circumstances. Her decades of service have helped shape child welfare practices in North Dakota, and her mentorship has influenced a new generation of child protection professionals who carry forward her values and approach.
Char Ferrell: Innovating Crisis Care
Char Ferrell, a nurse practitioner at Northwest Behavioral Health Clinic (Human Service Center), brings 18 years of human services experience to her role. Her most significant achievement was helping establish the Williston Stabilization Center, a groundbreaking short-term residential program designed specifically for adults experiencing behavioral health crises.
The stabilization center prioritizes individualized care, recognizing that each person’s crisis situation requires a tailored approach. Ferrell’s leadership style empowers both staff members and community partners, creating an environment where innovation thrives and compassionate care becomes the standard. Her work demonstrates how clinical expertise combined with visionary leadership can create life-changing programs that serve entire communities.
Conference Success and Impact
The fifth annual conference’s record attendance and expanded programming signal a positive shift in how North Dakota approaches behavioral health and child welfare. The gathering provided opportunities for networking, professional development, and knowledge sharing that will ripple through communities statewide.
The substantial sponsor support and expert participation demonstrate that North Dakota’s behavioral health community is united in its mission to improve services, support professionals, and ultimately enhance outcomes for vulnerable populations across the state.
Conclusion
The inaugural Behavioral Health and Child Welfare Awards celebrate more than individual and team achievements—they represent North Dakota’s values and commitment to supporting its most vulnerable citizens. As these award recipients continue their important work, they inspire others to pursue excellence in behavioral health and child welfare services.
The success of both the awards program and the conference itself suggests a bright future for North Dakota’s behavioral health landscape, where innovation, compassion, and dedication are recognized and celebrated.
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