North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recognized five individuals and teams for their outstanding contributions to children, families and behavioral health services during the 2026 Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference.
The annual awards recognize providers and professionals who demonstrate exceptional service, innovation, leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of North Dakotans.
Fearless Roughrider Team Award
The Cass Human Service Zone Family Services Team and Family HealthCare Behavioral Health Team received the Fearless Roughrider Team Award, which honors teams that demonstrate courage, innovation, adaptability and a commitment to finding new ways to serve North Dakotans.
The Cass Human Service Zone Family Services Team was recognized for its resilience through significant staffing and leadership challenges and its commitment to improving services for children and families. The team developed an evening shift to better meet families’ needs, strengthened community partnerships and continually improved child welfare practices.
Family HealthCare’s Behavioral Health Team was recognized for identifying and removing barriers to care through innovative, patient-centered solutions. Its work includes expanding telehealth services, same-day access and community connections that help patients address transportation, food insecurity and other barriers to health and well-being.
Legendary Service Award
The Legendary Service Award was presented to Dr. Nicola Herting, Ph.D., Treatment Collaborative for Traumatized Youth, Sanford Research and Diana Weber, Children and Family Services, for their exceptional service and lasting contributions to North Dakota’s most vulnerable children and families.
Dr. Herting was recognized for her leadership in trauma-focused care, workforce development and expanding access to evidence-based treatment. Through statewide initiatives, training, mentorship and innovative telehealth services, she has strengthened North Dakota’s capacity to provide trauma treatment to children and families.
Diana Weber, who retired Aug. 31, was recognized for a career dedicated to improving child welfare practice across North Dakota. As a leader, mentor and subject matter expert, she helped implement the Safety Framework Practice Model statewide, supported professionals through complex cases and fostered collaboration and continuous improvement across the child welfare system.
Flickertail Service Award
Jenni Wahl, Lighthouse Recovery Ministries, received the Flickertail Service Award, which honors a peer support specialist whose lived experience, resilience and commitment to recovery inspire hope and meaningful change.
Wahl began her journey with Lighthouse as a participant in the Free Through Recovery program before becoming a peer support specialist. She now uses her lived experience to support others in recovery, connect people with resources, mentor peers and advocate for individuals and families, demonstrating a steadfast belief that no one is beyond help or redemption.
The awards were presented as part of the 2026 Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference, which brings together professionals and partners from across North Dakota to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration and advance services for children, families and individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges. The conference continues to grow as it once again topped its attendance record drawing 1,478 attendees at this year’s conference, both virtually and in-person and support from 62 sponsors.