More Fall Retreat Pics 2009

Fall Retreat Fun Photos 2009

NDCPD Fall Retreat 2009

We had another successful Fall Retreat for NDCPD staff and CAC members. We had over 50 folks there, and had some great reports and activities. Thanks especially to the 4 Ks: Kora, Korie, Kristin, and Jana Kremer!! Enjoy the photos!

CAC Members visit NDCPD

Each month at least one member of the NDCPD Consumer Advisory Council or CAC visits NDCPD for one working day. This not only gives members an opportunity to see the workings of NDCPD first hand, but it also provides CAC members an opportunity to visit with project staff. In preparation for the visit, the visiting CAC member is asked to select one or more projects he or she would like to know more about. During the “shadow” visit the CAC member meets with the desired project staff to gain a better understanding of the project. Thus far two members, Connie Springsted and Mary Stip, of the CAC have visited NDCPD.

The project that interested Connie was the ND Data Linkage Project. As a follow up project to NDCPD's ND EHDI Hear Now project, ND Data Linkage continues to build the infrastructure to track babies that did not pass their initial hearing test and have left the hospital. Connie said she was not aware that NDCPD served all disabilities and she also made several suggestions regarding the accessibility of MSU campus especially for those individuals affected by low vision.

Mary Stip was interested in visiting with Jolynn Webster. Jolynn is a member of NDCPD staff and is the instructor for the Disability Studies class offered at Minot State University. The Disability Studies class is intended to increase students understanding of disabilities in order to enhance their knowledge and skills as professionals and as citizens. Mary indicated she enjoyed seeing what NDCPD staff did every day.

Both were surprised at the number of staff involved at NDCPD and what staff strive to do each day for people with disabilities across the state. Both members indicated that the visit was beneficial and would highly recommend it to all CAC members.

MSU Graduation 2009

Over 700 students graduated from MSU Spring 2009. NDCPD's Executive Director, Brent Askvig and the Associate Director, Christy Carroll participated in the commencement activities.

Hat's off to our NDCPD employees who have received the

"RAM GOOD JOB" award!

This award is passed from one NDCPD employee to another on a monthly basis. This recognition was initiated in October 2008 by Dr. Askvig. Each recipient determines who gets the award next based on going above and beyond the call of duty. Recipients so far in 2009 include:

January - Mary Mercer


February - Cheryl Rystedt

March - Donna Weishaar

April - Darren Seifert






2008 Recipients include:
October 2008 Linda Madsen, Cheryl Rystedt, Nicole Flink, Lisa Johnson
November 2008 Amy Armstrong