North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation 2022 Conference

Presenter: Aimee Volk

Bio: Aimee Volk has a true desire for helping individuals regain and maintain their independence. Aimee began her career in occupational therapy in 2010 working in various settings of the hospital including intensive care unit, rehabilitation and acute care. Aimee soon realized her passion was with vision. In 2017, Aimee began a new journey as the vision and independent living services administrator for ND Vocational Rehabilitation. Aimee’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in university studies and a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Aimee graduated in 2009. She completed her Low Vision Certification in Occupational Therapy through the University of Alabama – Birmingham. She currently resides with her husband Troy, daughters Paighton and Mallana and two dogs.

Presenter: Alysia Budd

Bio: Alysia is the founder and director of Inspiring Minds, Center for Dyslexia and Literacy in Bismarck, ND. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2000 with a degree in occupational therapy. Alysia has worked in all areas of pediatrics throughout her career, including school systems. She has a graduate certificate in dyslexia studies and language-based learning disabilities, is a certified Barton tutor and is also certified as a level one handwriting specialist with the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. Alysia has extensive training in the areas of handwriting, sensory processing and dyslexia. She is also the mother of three fabulous sons with dyslexia. It was through her experience with her own children that Alysia became dedicated to providing research-based remediation to all individuals with dyslexia. She continues to further her education in the field of dyslexia with ongoing training in the Orton-Gillingham approach, structured literacy and the science of reading.

Presenter: Amy Bergan 

Bio: Amy Bergan joined Rehab Services, Inc. in August of 2013 as a benefits planner. She provides in-depth benefits counseling to social security disability beneficiaries across North Dakota, helping them to understand their benefits and the impact that employment may have on those benefits. Amy received full community work incentives coordinator certification through Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a member of the National Association of Benefits and Work Incentives Specialists as well as the Rehabilitation Organization of North Dakota. Amy is a Minot native who attended both Minot State University and North Dakota State University.

Presenter: Amy Osvold

Bio: Amy Osvold is a vision rehabilitation specialist with North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind. She has been employed with the agency since 2007.  Prior to working at NDVS/SB, she worked as the staff trainer/HR at REM, ND Inc., a eligibility worker for the State of Washington and a vision rehabilitation specialist for Vocational Rehabilitation in the Jamestown and Minot/Williston regions. Amy completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN in 2000. She completed the Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired program at the University of North Dakota in 2002. Amy is happily married to fellow social worker, Brian Osvold.

Presenter: Angie Bray

Bio: Angela Bray earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She is currently the assistant director of employment services at Kalix (since 2019) and oversees the community employment and day programs. Throughout her 12-year career at Kalix, she has received extensive training including NDCPD Advanced Module Certification, WiSE Customized Employment Training, Systematic Instruction, ASL Sign Language Courses and her certificate from ACRE training. She has wide experience in management, training staff, presenting on employment-related topics for various organizations and leading projects including grants. She is currently leading a team tasked with reduction on subminimum wage to implement all processes and changes impacting employment staff, as well as participation in the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network grant for the past year. Living in the Granville area, she enjoys gardening, crafting (especially merchandise for her daughter’s books) and playing with her grandchildren.

Presenter: Bill Colombo

Bio: Bill Colombo joined the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center - Quality Management team in January 2022. This followed a career of over 26 years with Michigan Rehabilitation Services where he had a diverse mix of experiences from vocational rehabilitation counselor to bureau deputy director. In his current role, Bill provides technical assistance focusing on program and performance quality management. His professional hallmarks include collaboration, creativity, innovation and the willingness to go the extra mile. When he is not working, you will find Bill camping, hiking and fishing with family and friends.

Presenter: Claudia-Jean Virga

Bio: Claudia-Jean Virga is the founder and creator of the CHAT Communication System. She has been networking for over 25 years and has made every mistake possible. Claudia-Jean has lost business from not following up or shutting up. She has also, at times, found herself sneaking out the back door at events where she didn’t know anyone. She has been faced with a stack of business cards at the end of an event with no clue as to who or how to follow up. She understands how difficult networking can be and will share how success can be as easy as just one chat away!
 

Presenter: DJ Ralston

Bio: DJ Ralston, M.A., (they/them) is a senior technical assistance (TA) and research analyst with George Washington University’s Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education with close to 20 years of experience working in the disability and employment arena at the local, state and national levels. They provide TA and training on behalf of the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative and the Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation. DJ’s areas of expertise and interest include the intersection between disability and poverty, the impact of intersecting identities and ensuring access and inclusion in vocational rehabilitation services for populations who have been historically and structurally marginalized and excluded. DJ earned a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from Western Washington University, has completed and maintained a community partner work incentive coordinator certification from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a doctoral candidate in human and organizational learning.

Presenter: Dr. Ann Beste-Guldborg

Bio: Dr. Beste-Guldborg has been in the field of education and disabilities for 38 years as a speech-language pathologist, special education director, school principal and associate professor. In addition to being the North Dakota IMPCCT Consortium director, Ann serves as a research coordinator for the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities. She is passionate about creating opportunities for people with disabilities. 

Presenter: Elton Lassiter

Bio: Elton Lassiter works as a senior VR counselor in the Bismarck regional office. He has a passion for working with farmers and rancher and is instrumental in supporting VR staff from across the state in completing farm and ranch assessments. Elton obtained his master’s degree from the University of Utah and became a certified rehabilitation counselor in the summer of 2022. He has several years of experience working as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist.  

Presenter: Heather Brandt   

Bio: Heather Brandt works for North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division as the manager of behavioral health community supports. In this role, she oversees programs and services designed to expand support through services such as care coordination, peer support, housing and employment.

Presenter: Heather Mertz

Bio: Heather Mertz works for ND Vocational Rehabilitation as a program specialist. She is passionate about improving systems and programs and services to effectively serve individuals in the community. She has experience working as an analyst, consultant, instructor and researcher and has worked in various academic, clinical, government and legal settings. Heather graduated from Saint Louis University with a Ph.D. in experimental psychology (cognition and neuroscience). A North Dakota native, she enjoys traveling and hopes to one day become a major lottery winner.

Presenter: Jana Hennix

Bio: Jana Hennix has over 13 years of experience working with at-risk youth and people with disabilities. Jana is currently working at Rehab Services, Inc. as a benefits planner. She is working on her certification of being a community work incentives coordinator through Virginia Commonwealth University to promote employment and enhance financial stability for disability beneficiaries across North Dakota. Jana was born and raised in Minot and attended Minot State University.

Presenter: Kate Milner

Bio: Kate Millner completed her master’s degree in the field of mental health and rehabilitation counseling. She served as a VR counselor in the Bismarck office from 2011-2016. Since that time, Kate has been with Bismarck State College overseeing advising, counseling and career services. Currently, Kate serves as the program director for REACH@BSC and leads BSC’s Student Accessibility Services and Peer Mentoring programs. Kate maintains an appreciation for the field of rehabilitation counseling and has maintained her certified rehabilitation counselor certification.  

Presenter: Karli Degenstein

Bio: Karli Degenstein earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Minot State University in 2013. During this time, she became a licensed social worker. She is currently the lead employment coordinator for the KEEP team. She received her North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities advanced module certification in 2014, completed customized employment training with WiSE 2015-2017 and received a certificate in ACRE in 2022. During Karli’s nine years with the organization, she has received extensive training in discovery and customized employment, including job development and placement, systematic instruction, American Sign Language and marketing. She also has wide experience in training staff and presenting on employment-related topics for various organizations. Karli is part of the team tasked with reduction in subminimum wage and is coordinating and supporting all activities directed towards community integrated employment, as well as participating in the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network grant for the past year. Living in the Minot area, Karli enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with family, friends, and animals, redoing furniture and crafting, and of course, bargain shopping.

Presenter: Kayla Fender

Bio: Kayla Fender has been with North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Developmental Disabilities Section since February 2017. Her duties include consultation and oversight for programs, policies and administration of children and adult services through the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver and Medicaid State Plan. She also provides technical assistance and support for service authorizations for Family Support Services and oversight for the fiscal agent. Kayla is also a part of the Outlier/Medically Intensive/Out of Sequence Assessment committee.
 

Presenter: Malinda Kragh

Bio: Malinda Kragh, research associate, currently serves as a training coordinator at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities in Minot, ND. A North Dakota native, she received a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of North Dakota and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Wesley College. Malinda is passionate about ND CREATE, which focuses on creating integrated employment available to everyone. In her spare time, Malinda enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching her kids’ activities.

Presenter: Michele Burney

Bio: Michele Burney, program director, currently serves as a primary investigator at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities in Minot, ND. A North Carolina native, she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from North Carolina State University. Michele is passionate about socioeconomic equity for all. She has seen firsthand how equitable employment for people experiencing I/DD builds community as a whole life. When she is not working, Michele enjoys traveling, reading, exercising and spending as much time as possible with family and friends.

Presenter: Monica Haugen

Bio: Monica Haugen is a program administrator for North Dakota’s Medicaid 1915(i) State Plan Amendment. She works for North Dakota’s Health and Human Services’ agency’s Behavioral Health Division. Monica has over 20 years of experience working in human services, much of which was spent working in various roles within the ID/DD system.

Presenter: Nan Kennelly

Bio: Nan Kennelly earned her master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in 1994. Since then, she has dedicated her career to the treatment of cognitive-communication disorders related to brain injury, stroke and other neurological conditions. Nan has gained extensive experience and specialized training in the subacute, acute, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient and private practice settings. Currently, she is both owner and treating therapist at Onword Therapy, a private practice in Fargo, ND. Nan enjoys working with high-level cognitive and communication needs in individuals with mild TBI, post-concussive symptoms, stroke, ADHD and executive functioning challenges. She considers it an honor and privilege to help her patients get back to work/school/home and reach goals of higher function, efficiency and independence. Nan is a passionate advocate for ND residents and families living with brain injury. She serves as the current chair of the governor appointed ND Brain Injury Advisory Council.

Presenter: Paul Olson

Bio: Paul Olson received his master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in visual impairment and orientation and mobility from the University of Northern Colorado in 1991. He pursued additional coursework in educational leadership at the University of North Dakota (UND). He is certified as an occupational and mobility specialist and ACVREP. He is the superintendent at the North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind in Grand Forks, ND. Paul coordinated a graduate certification program in orientation and mobility through the University of Northern Colorado from 1998-2000. This satellite program graduated 11 individuals with certification in orientation and mobility. He was recognized as the “Worker of the Year in 2001” by Dakota Chapter of AER. He also received the Helen Keller Sight Award 2004 from Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. He is a member of several professional organizations and participates in volunteer activities for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the UND Women’s Center and Community Violence Intervention Center. He is the past president of the Council of Schools and Services for the Blind. Paul is married with three children.

Presenter: Shannon Rolandson

Bio: Versatile, vibrant, innovative and meticulous. With a background in sales, leadership and marketing, Shannon’s career spans over several industries including education, training and development and human services. She has a passion to help others become the best versions of themselves. She serves as outreach officer at Community Options where she combines her two passions of helping others and being creative. Shannon earned a master’s degree in marketing from North Dakota State University. When she is not at work, she enjoys time with her three dogs and DIY projects.

Presenter: Russ Korzeniewski

Bio: Russ has worked for the past 11 years as risk manager and disaster preparedness administrator for North Dakota Health and Human Services. He is responsible for agency-wide environmental safety and security. This includes continuity of operations planning and implementation, injury prevention, training and risk management. As the disaster preparedness administrator, he coordinates with the state’s Department of Emergency Services, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency and other partner agencies for disaster planning, response and recovery missions. Russ is an experienced trainer in disaster preparedness, environmental safety and security, and risk management. He has a bachelor’s degree in social psychology and a master’s degree in human resource management. 

Presenter: Terry Peterson

Bio: Terry Peterson graduated from Minot State University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and minor in philosophy. Terry has continued his education through Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Missouri Commonwealth.  Terry worked with youth as a counselor in a residential treatment facility addressing behavioral, addiction and sexual deviance issues before being hired in 2005 by Rehab Services, Inc. (RSI) of Minot. He’s a certified community work incentives coordinator and oversees the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program in North Dakota. In 2010, Terry was recognized by Minot State University with the “Outstanding Community Engagement in Sociology” award. In 2012, Terry received Association for People in Supported Employment’s “Pat Knudson Outstanding Professional Award” for his work providing social security benefits planning to North Dakotans with disabilities. Terry is now assistant director at RSI, remains active in many boards and committees within the field, and is committed to progressive services, policies and laws within our state that will benefit people with disabilities for years to come.

Presenter: Tess Stanton 

Bio: Tess Stanton is the training administrator for the Rocky Mountain ADA Center. She specializes in in-person training facilitation for groups within the center’s six-state region. In her role, Tess develops customized and comprehensive training programs while guiding both large and small groups throughout several ADA-related topics including general ADA standards, ADA and the workplace, responsibilities by both public and private entities under the law, along with additional topics such as disability etiquette and more. She also acts as public media spokesperson for the Rocky Mountain ADA Center. Stanton holds a bachelor’s degree in professional communication and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.

Presenter: Tom Schiwal

Bio: Tom Schiwal has been a regional administrator for the Bismarck office since 2004. Prior to that, he worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Devils Lake and Bismarck regions. He received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Moorhead State University in 1988 and a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation from Utah State University in 2002. He lives on a small hobby farm where he grows vegetables for family and friends, as well as raises chickens and ducks for eggs and meat. He enjoys volunteering for Furry Friends, an animal rescue organization in Bismarck, ND.

Presenter: Tracey Olson 

Bio: Tracey has been in the human services field for her entire career. Currently, she serves as program director for Advancing Students Towards Education and Employment Program at Minot State University. She is also a member of the IMPCCT Consortium team. Tracey has spent a lifetime working to positively impact individuals in various social service programs.

Presenter: Warren Granfor

Bio: Warren Granfor has lived in Bismarck all his life except for a few years in Fargo where he graduated from North Dakota State University (GO BISON!) with a bachelor’s degree in math and minors in computer science, statistics, music and German. He started working with the ND Department of Human Services in 1984 as a research analyst. He then moved to the IT department where he taught computer courses and provided PC and network support for over ten years. For the last 24 years, Warren he has been with ND Vocational Rehabilitation as a program information specialist and administrator of VR’s computer system. Warren has five grandchildren, one wife and a dog.

Presenter: Whitney Uran

Bio: Whitney Uran earned her bachelor’s degree biology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in 2011. She is currently an employment coordinator for the KEEP team. She received her North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities advanced module certification in 2014, completed customized employment training with WiSE 2015-2017, and received a certificate in ACRE in 2022. During Whitney’s eight years with the organization, she has received extensive training in discovery and customized employment, including job development and placement, systematic instruction, American Sign Language and marketing. She also has wide experience in training staff and presenting on employment-related topics for various organizations. Whitney is part of the team tasked with reduction in subminimum wage and is coordinating and supporting all activities directed towards community integrated employment, as well as participating in the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network grant for the past year. Living in the Minot area, Whitney enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing violin in the Minot Symphony Orchestra and taking walks in the coulee with her dogs.

Presenter: Zoey Winkler

Bio: Zoey Winkler, research associate, currently serves as a training coordinator at the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities in Minot, ND. A North Dakota native, she received a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies and criminal justice from Minot State University. Zoey is excited to be involved with ND CREATE, which is bringing customized employment to North Dakota. Zoey’s hobbies include running, bird watching and spending time with her two almost adult children and her husband.