Peace Garden News

Registration remains open for the fifth annual North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference, which will take place from October 20 to 23 at the Bismarck Event Center. The event will also be accessible via online livestream.

The conference aims to bring together professionals working in behavioral health and child welfare from across North Dakota. Attendees are expected to include behavioral health advocates, service providers, child welfare professionals, business and community leaders, faith-based organizations, first responders, law enforcement, and tribal representatives.

This year’s theme is Empower 2025. More than 20 speakers are scheduled to lead sessions on various topics related to behavioral health and child welfare. An ethics preconference is set for October 20, while a supervision post-conference will take place on October 23. The main conference programming begins on Tuesday, October 21, featuring eight keynote addresses and fifteen breakout sessions over three days.

Featured speakers include Lara Love Hardi presenting "Hidden Stories, Second Chances," David Ambroz with "A Place Called Home," Thad Shunkwiler leading both the ethics preconference and sessions titled "Rediscovering Your Why" and "The Rise of Gambling in Teenagers," Jessica Lahey discussing "The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence," Dr. Kathryn Gordon addressing "Suicidal Thoughts: Reducing Stigma, Enhancing Communication and Cultivating Hope," and Matthew Anderson speaking on "Using the Superpower of Relationships to Foster Workplace Engagement."

Continuing education units (CEUs) will be available for participants through several state boards including the North Dakota Board of Licensed Addiction Counselors, North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners, North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners, North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapist Board as well as HHS Certified Peer Support Specialists.

For the first time in 2025, two awards will be presented at the conference. The Fearless Roughrider Team Award recognizes a provider or agency team that demonstrates courage, innovation, adaptability and a fearless commitment to doing what is right. According to organizers: “This award honors teams that pioneer new solutions and strengthen the lives of North Dakotans.” The Legendary Service Award honors a professional with ten or more years of service whose dedication and best practices have had a significant impact on vulnerable individuals in North Dakota.

Registration fees are $200 for full conference access and $50 for university students, kinship providers as well as foster and adoptive parents. On-site registration is available at the Bismarck Event Center located at 315 Fifth St., Bismarck.