NDCPD News

NDCPD is involved in many exciting activities throughout the state. Below are just a few of the top stories highlighting our efforts.

New DVD “Living at Grafton”

Minot, ND- July 8, 2008. A new DVD, Living at Grafton, released by The North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities presents the reflections and stories of 6 former institutional residents of the Grafton State School in North Dakota. The DVD is a 25 minute video describing life in the institution from those who experienced it first hand and includes discussion of the circumstances leading up to their institutionalization. It also details aspects of daily living in the state school.

The DVD continues Dr. Brent Askvig’s research on the North Dakota Developmental Center. In 2004, Dr. Askvig published a book, One Hundred Years: The History and Chronology of North Dakota Developmental Center, which reviewed the history of the center. Following the book’s release Dr. Askvig began collaborating with Norwegian researchers, Jan Meyer, Bjorn-Eirik Johnsen, and Leif Lysvik. They had done a similar project on the history of institutions in Norway and produced a DVD called Coming to Trastad which included interviews with Norwegians who had been institutionalized. They encouraged him to do a similar project on North Dakota’s institution. Read more about this DVD and its author highlighted in the Minot Daily News on July 8, 2008 at:
http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/516757.html
To order you copy of Living at Grafton (order form).

ND Disability Health Project Opens Wii Game Room

Minot, ND- July 1, 2008.  The ND Disability Health project, through the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University, has incorporated a game room that features a Wii and other active games for youth and adults with disabilities. The game room is in line with the project mission to promote the health and wellness of people with disabilities, and to prevent or lessen the effects of secondary conditions associated with disabilities.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which is conducted every 2 years, monitors health risk behaviors of students that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth. According to the 2007 YRBS survey, 52% of ND students (grades 9-12) did not meet recommended levels of physical activity, 25% watched TV three or more hours per day, and 10% were considered obese according to a body mass index based on age and gender. Within the adult population, the ND Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) indicates that adults with disabilities have a higher prevalence of health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardio vascular disease, high blood pressure, asthma, and high cholesterol.

Studies show that many kids and young adults are more likely to engage in fitness activities that are connected to a video game. The Nintendo Wii is a video game console that allows the user to actively engage in a variety of games/activities. This ‘active gaming’ gets the user moving and engaging in a more physical way than typical video games. In addition to physical movement, some games can also increase range of motion, balance, or hand-eye coordination. Studies also suggest that active gaming can contribute to the development of skills in other areas such as communication and problem solving. All of these benefits can positively affect self esteem and social well-being.

Games currently available in the game room include Wii tennis, golf, boxing, baseball and bowling. There is also a hand control version of Dancing with the Stars. The game room is open Monday through Friday, 8:30-4:00pm; alternative times may be requested. Parents are expected to remain with their children in the game room. To schedule an experience in the game room, contact Kylene Kraft at kylene.kraft@minotstateu.edu or 701-858-4365.            

Minot Infant Development Programs Celebrates 30 Years of Service to Children & Families

Minot, ND- July 1, 2008.  June 2008 marks 30 years of service for the Minot Infant Development Program (MIDP). This program housed at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities at Minot State University and funded by the North Dakota Department of Human Services supports activities which identify infants (birth-3 years) who are developmentally delayed, high risk, or at risk.  MIDP staff assist parents and caregivers in identifying natural learning opportunities that occur throughout their child’s day during daily routines and guide parents in using these opportunities to enhance their child’s development. In addition, staff assist parents in finding supports available through local, state and national programs to help with needs related to their child’s developmental issues.

To commemorate this accomplishment, the MIDP would like to invite children and families who have participated in the program throughout the years to join them on Thursday, September 18th  at the Holiday Inn Riverside for a 30th Anniversary Celebration. In connection with this celebration, MIDP will host a variety of carnival games and activities for the children and is looking for any community members wishing to volunteer their time to help man booths. There will be free refreshments.   

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Kathy Lee, MIDP Program Director at (701) 858-3054 or 1-800-233-1737 or e-mail kathy.lee@minotstateu.edu.

Dr. Askvig Appointed New Director

Minot, ND- July 1, 2008. MSU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gary Rabe, announced the appointment of Dr. Brent A. Askvig to replace Dr. Fifield. Dr. Rabe said “I have completed interviews with many key staff and constituents and they have reinforced my belief that Brent will be an effective leader. He clearly knows the field and has a vision for how NDCPD can grow and accomplish new and exciting initiatives. He is a respected member of the MSU community and I look forward to working with him as a member of my academic affairs team.”

In addition to four years of service as Associate Director of NDCPD, Dr. Askvig brings 18 years experience as a MSU Special Education faculty. He previously served as MSU’s Department Chair in Special Education and as Assistant to the Dean of the MSU Graduate School. A graduate of MSU, Askvig has a bachelor degree in education and special education and a master’s degree in severe disabilities. He received his doctorate degree in Education and Special Education with a specialty in educational research from the University of Idaho.

“I am excited about my new role in NDCPD and the people in the center. Dr. Fifield has done a tremendous job over the past 10 ½ years, and has in place a solid foundation for NDCPD’s future growth,” says Askvig. “I am also excited about NDCPD’s role in supporting persons with disabilities throughout the state, and in working with MSU on its Vision 2013.”

Dr. Askvig will assume the responsibilities of Executive Director on July 1, 2008.

NDCPD Bids Farewell to Dr. Fifield

Minot, ND- June 30, 2008. For more than ten years Dr. M. Bryce Fifield has served as Executive Director for the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD) on the campus of Minot State University (MSU).  Dr. Fifield will leave NDCPD this July to assume a new position as the Executive Director at the Center for Persons with Disabilities in Logan, Utah. This will be an exciting opportunity for Dr. Fifield to return to the university and center where he began his career in the disability field.

In his time at NDCPD, Dr. Fifield was a part of dynamic growth in the center, providing leadership and expertise, specifically in reaching rural communities through distance technology and services. NDCPD faculty and staff will miss Dr. Fifield’s leadership but look forward to continuing collaborative efforts with him through the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) network and the Utah Leadership Education Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (ULEND) training program.

ND Family support organizations to form Rural Health Network

Minot, ND- May 1, 2008. Minot State University’s North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities recently received a three-year federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop the Rural Health Network for Family Support. The purpose of the grant is to establish the RHNFS as a self-sustaining network to help rural families who have children with special health care needs. The network will strengthen its capacity to serve this population by achieving the grant outcomes in collaboration, training, system navigation and leadership.
“This grant will provide the resources for participating agencies to come together and create something that is difficult for any one organization to achieve alone,” said Cathy Haarstad, the project director. “Network activities will benefit not only families and providers but participating network agencies as well.”
To develop this rural health network, NDCPD will partner with Family Voices of North Dakota, the North Dakota Center for Rural Health, and several other family support organizations. RHNFS will serve families whose children meet the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, a bureau of the Heath Resources and Services Administration, broad definition “those who have or are at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.
In March 2007, NDCPD received a one-year strategic planning grant to fund the North Dakota Family Support Coalition Project. This project’s personnel focused on rural families with children with special health care needs who may have limited or no access to necessary specialized supports for ongoing health care. Over the past year, they completed five regional and statewide focus groups to access existing need and to develop a preliminary strategic plan to guide forming the RHNFS.
“The process supported by and completed through the one-year planning grant led to applying for a grant for what is the logical next step – establishing a self-sustaining network,” explained Haarstad. “We couldn’t be more pleased that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agreed.”
The goals of the RHNFS are to operate a rural health network, to increase collaboration to enhance family support, and to secure the sustainability of the network. The project will support development of a new non-profit organization and board that will direct the network’s efforts.
Haarstad said that through the year’s work, the project’s leadership has been able to overcome several significant trust crises and forge a positive working relationship that can serve as a model for other partners. The result of this effort has been that several additional agencies have signed a memorandum of agreement to join the network.
For more information regarding RHNFS contact Cathy Haarstad at 1-800-233-1737 or cathy.haarstad@minotstateu.edu .

MSU disability course sponsored by NDCPD receives university approval

Minot, ND- April 1, 2008. During the 2007-2008 academic year, NDCPD offered a new course called “Disability and Society”. This course is designed to address disability issues, challenge myths and prepare students to encounter and respect people with disabilities. This small, discussion-based class introduces disability issues across the lifespan. Learners review information on how disability impacts careers. Course content includes real-world, hands-on assignments, in class activities and presentations by speakers with disabilities, family members & professionals.
The “Disability and Society” course was recently approved by the MSU faculty senate to meet the university requirement for diversity credits. This approval will hopefully encourage student to register for the course. Because people with disabilities are encountered in all walks-of-life, this course complements any major. As students become more prepared to interact successfully with people with disabilities and families, everyone benefits.

The talents of Art Venture on display at NDCPD

Minot, ND-March 24, 2008. The North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD), a University Center of Excellence in Disability Research, Services, and Education at Minot State University (MSU), is honored to host a display of artwork created by children with disabilities from the Art Venture program of Bismarck. NDCPD, in partnership with the Dakota West Arts Council (DWAC), is bringing this vibrant collection of artwork to Minot. This rotating display located in Memorial Hall on the MSU campus will treat visitors to a new series of art every other month.
The Art Venture program is in its ninth year of providing unique, quality arts experiences to children who are “at risk”. The core Art Venture program is in the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Program at the Richolt School of Bismarck. The children are ages 3-6 and most of them have disabilities ranging from mild to profound. Art Venture also provides classes at Head Start, whose children are at risk. After School programs for Art Venture are done in partnership with the Missouri Valley Family YMCA and provide art classes for kids grades K-6.  Many of these children are economically disadvantaged and some have disabilities. Overall, the Art Venture program reaches about 500-600 students.
Art Venture classes are taught by teaching artists who have experience in art, in education, and/or in working with kids who have disabilities. Each teaching artist designs and implements unique lesson plans that do not replicate those taught as part of regular school programming. Classes in visual arts, creative movement, performance art, and theatre are offered.
All classes are evaluated regularly to assess improvements in the recipient children in the areas of cognitive thinking, social skills, fine and large motor skills, self-esteem, teamwork, and listening skills. These evaluations are documented proof of the value of Art Venture.
Art Venture is managed by DWAC and furthers their mission to support and encourage artistic opportunities to area residents and visitors. Funding for the Art Venture program is provided through a matching grant with VSA arts international in association with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. VSA was founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to ensure all people have equal access to the arts. It stands for Vision of an inclusive community, Strength through shared resources, Artistic Expression that unites us all.
With affiliates in all 50 states and 61 foreign countries, DWAC is the only North Dakota affiliate organization. Because of the success of the Art Venture program a separate 501 (c) 3, VSA arts of North Dakota, is being formed with the intent of creating a statewide VSA program with possible programs in Grand Forks, Minot, and Fargo.
For more information about Art Venture contact, Linda Olsrud, Executive Director, DWAC, at 701-222-6640 or linda@dakotawest.org.

NDCPD to launch a new service, training, and research program on Autism at the ND Symposium on Autism March 17, 2008.

Minot, ND- March 17, 2008. The North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD) announces the arrival of a new autism initiative during their Autism Symposium held at Minot State University March 17th, 2008. Nearly 300 professionals, parents, and students attended the symposium to network, listen to nationally renowned speakers, and discuss key autism issues for the State of North Dakota (ND). Work conducted during the symposium will help guide future activities of the Great Plains Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment Program (G-PAST). For more information about this initiative, contact Wendy Thomas, Community Services Core Coordinator, at 1-800-233-1737 or visit www.ndcpd.org/autism .