NDFBSA History

History of North Dakota Family Based Services

North Dakota Family Based Services Association began at an organizational meeting on March 23, 1987. The initial membership included: Bert Bailey, Dakota Boys Ranch; Pat Podoll, Morton County Social Services; Rita Fox, Burleigh County Social Services; Roger Johnson, UND Children and Family Service Center; and Paul Ronningen, DHS Administrator for Intensive Home-Based Services.

These people began to organize the association and plan the first conference January 1988. Today, the North Dakota Family Based Services Association has grown to over five hundred members, a twelve member board of directors, four active standing committees, a quarterly newsletter, annual awards for outstanding contributors, educational activities regarding family based services and participation in national and regional conferences and activities. The NDFBSA has hosted conferences since 1988 with nationally renowned presenters.

The committees that support the North Dakota Family Based Services Association include: Newsletter/Public Relations, Membership/Public Education, Standards, and the Conference Planning Committee. These people work to support the mission of the NDFBSA and improve services to children and families.

Keeping up with the pace of technology is one challenge facing the North Dakota Family Based Services Association. The Association is committed to getting the information out to many people through its newly developed web page.