Peter*

Volume XXI, Issue VI
December 2016
Press
Families Making the Difference
I Get to Have Two Families
Peter* sat before the room of foster parents
and staff, sharing the tragedies of his young
life most of us will never endure. He went into
foster care as a young teen. There was a good
chance he would’ve turn into a foster care statistic:
likely to be homeless, probably without a
high school diploma, and running into the law
more than once. But Peter had a PATH Family: a
family that welcomed him into their home, loved
him as a son, and have supported him as he embarks
on adulthood. This is why he considers
them his own; his second family.
Sam McDonald
Director of Development
The crowded ballroom was silent as we heard
the remarkable journeys of young people who
have been through foster care. They shared the
challenges of finding their own voice. We were
inspired by their insistence to find the adults who
gave them unconditional love through thick and
thin. For many, it was their PATH Family that was
there through it all.
This was just one of many incredible sessions
our PATH Families and staff experienced during
our ND Annual Meeting. At each of our state’s
annual meetings, we felt the warmth and love
of those who have chosen to join the network
of families committed to caring for children who
have experienced unimaginable tragedy. These
events are the one time of year we bring together
PATH Families and staff from across each
state to celebrate their successes, train them to
serve children and families, and support each
other in this challenging mission.
Together, we wrap up another year with gratitude
for our Families, staff, and partners.
*Identifying information has been changed to protect client
privacy and safety.

Meet our Team!
In this Issue
Words from our President 3
CEO Message 4
Celebrating Holidays 5
Holiday Stress in
Foster Children 6
Family Institute Fare 7
ND Post Adopt 9
Acknowledgements 11-13
William A. Metcalfe
Chief Executive Officer
Kathy Ellingson
Board President
Bobbi Geiger
Idaho
Executive Director
Jay S. Kimball
Minnesota
Executive Director
Nancy McKenzie
North Dakota
Executive Director
Bill Kerzman
PATH Family Institute
Executive Director
Dave Kautto
Chief Finance Officer
Sam McDonald
Director of
Development
Page 2

Words from our President
Kathy Ellingson
Board President
Greetings!
Well, another year is gone and we will be entering 2017 very quickly! I swear everyone
has told me that as we get older things slow down but that sure isn’t the case
for me. Life is going on lickity split whether I like it or not and there is no slowing it
down!!
As many of you know we currently have a program called Independent Living Services
(ILS). This is a program we operate for any youth aging out of foster care in
the state of North Dakota without a permanency plan. We manage this contract for
the state, serving 491 young adults in FY 2016. Although a very important service
for these youth, PATH takes a loss on the contract every year. As a board, we have
looked long and hard at whether we should continue this program. After much discussion
we have chosen to continue into 2017. Since that decision was made, I am
so happy to report that we are going to receive $211,600 this year to help cover
some of the costs! We will also receive $235,400 in the next biennium. While this
doesn’t cover all the cost we are SO VERY thankful for the added funding and a
big thanks goes to our ND executive director, Nancy McKenzie for all the hard work
you do at the legislative sessions to help them understand PATH and what we do!!
We have had a pretty mild fall and now that Old Man Winter has awoken, he is hitting
with a vengeance, so stay warm and safe…and a very merry Christmas to one
and all!!
Friends in PATH,
Kathy
Families Making the Difference

CEO Message
William A. Metcalfe, Ph.D., LICSW
Chief Executive Officer
As I write these comments for this edition of our newsletter, I cannot help but focus on
the exciting possibilities and changes that will occur for PATH during 2017. We are
more than ready for these changes, having prepared for the past few years. As we look
forward, we continue to explore new programs and new ways to more easily and securely
deliver our services.
“Change arrives in nature when time has ripened. There are no jagged transitions
or accrued discontinuities. This accounts for the sureness with which one season
succeeds another. It is though they are moving forward in a rhythm set forth within
a continuum.” John O’Donohue.
Like in nature, PATH has gradually studied where we need to go in the field, the services
we need to provide, and we feel that we are in a very strong position to continue in the
directions we have already established, and also to add new directions and new possibilities.
Change of this type feels very natural and organic. It fits with our existing culture and
rhythm.
We look forward to a 2017 filled with new services, new partnerships, new and exciting
ways of delivering services and renewing those services already in place. It is with this
excitement and with this anticipation, I wish all of you a very happy and healthy New Year!
Very Truly Yours,
William A. Metcalfe, Ph.D. LICSW
CEO, PATH ND Inc.
Page 4

Celebrating Holidays
Nancy McKenzie, BS, MS
North Dakota Executive Director
Once again, the holiday season is upon us,
with all of its traditions and customs. We
relish these times, partly because of the sense
of belonging, the sense of family and memories
they bring. A common phrase/song is: “There’s
no place like home for the holidays.” Yet, as
we know, for our youth in foster care these can
be hard times. The article below is a helpful
summary of tips for all of us to remember this
season.
Celebrating Holidays with
Children Your Foster
Reprinted with permission from Adoption Resources of
Wisconsin, Inc. (www.wifostercareandadoption.org)
Conflicting loyalties and lost dreams often make
the holidays a difficult time for children in foster
care. Just as studies show that holidays are
stressful times for most of us, these reactions
are compounded for youth placed in your home.
Here are some suggestions for managing the
holidays.
How can my family make it easier for
the children in foster care while
they are in our home?
• Talk about the season ahead of time. Talk
about how your family celebrates the holidays.
Tell children which of the traditional
holidays your house recognizes. Is it
Thanksgiving? St. Nick’s Day? Kwanzaa?
Hanukah? Christmas? New Year? Or all of
the above? Talking about the holidays gives
children time to anticipate the upcoming activities
and ask questions.
• Help children in foster care imagine what to
expect in your home. Much of what we assume
to be commonplace can be new to the
children you foster.
• Share the religious meanings the holidays
may have for your family. Talk about your
family’s specific customs and activities.
• Use this time of sharing to learn especially
about the religious beliefs, customs, and activities
of the children you foster.
• Try to incorporate at least some of their traditions
into your traditions.
• Some parents try to keep the holidays low
key in order to help minimize some of the
stress.
The holiday season gives us one more opportunity
to find sensitive and supportive ways to
help the youth in our care. Let’s all find ways to
practice some of these suggestions to make the
holidays just a little easier this year.
Thanks for all you do, this season and throughout
the year!
Families Making the Difference

Holiday Stress in
Foster Children:
Strategies for Helping
Jay S. Kimball, MSW, LGSW
Minnesota Executive Director
The holiday season is upon us. For most,
the time is full of joy, family, and tradition.
Christmas lights go up, smells of holiday cooking,
fresh Christmas trees, decorations, and
the plans for upcoming family gatherings are
made.
Unfortunately, foster youth experience the holidays
very differently. For a child in foster care,
the holidays bring about feelings of anxiety, disappointment,
loss, separation, and grief. This
is especially true when the child is old enough
to have recollections from past seasons.
We also must remember that children who
were separated from their family due to abuse,
neglect, or substance abuse may associate the
holidays with trauma. Rather than approaching
the holidays with a sense of joyful anticipation,
these children may unconsciously associate
the holidays with disappointment or violence.
Many children who are in care will not be able
to spend the holiday season with their own
family. There are several steps you can take to
help a foster child deal with their mixed emotions
during this time of year.
Tips for Helping Children Cope
• Have a discussion about your family’s holiday
traditions in detail. This will create less
anxiety for the child and decrease tension.
Knowing what to expect will be very helpful.
• Prepare family and friends about new members
in your home to decrease discomfort for
everyone. Remember to maintain confidentiality
and prepare how you might answer
their questions. Ask the foster child how they
would like to be introduced.
• Recognize that what the child is feeling is
perfectly normal given their situation. Let
them know that you understand and that it is
alright to feel the way they do. You may also
see some regression in behavior during this
time.
• Allow the child to talk about it on her or his
terms-resist the temptation to push a child
into talking about their feelings or about the
past. If the child has a caseworker, discuss
the possibility of the child receiving extra
therapy during this time.
• Encourage outside activities. Play dates,
sports, holiday activities, volunteering that
may help to ward off the sense of sadness
that is a common thread for foster children
Continued on page 9.
Page 6

Family Institue Fare
Bill Kerzman, MSW
Family Institute Executive Director
Happy Holidays
& Happy New Year
Greetings of the Season! The season of
changes, the season of transitions, and the
season of evaluation – a time to refresh, renew
– a time to look back and plan forward. It is a
busy time of the year. It is also a time for family,
for celebrations, for community spirit and hopefully,
some rest and relaxation. But of course,
I am not going to write about these parts. No,
I am going to focus this message on the first
parts of the season: changes, transitions and
evaluation.
Changes: At the PATH Family Institute we have
added a couple of interns who are busy working
on specific assignments in our Electronic Health
Records and with our Development program in
North Dakota. These interns are a wonderful asset
and help us complete tasks that might otherwise
be delayed or left unaccomplished. My
thanks to Katie Johnson, our EHR Administrator
and Sam McDonald for taking on these interns
and managing all these projects!
Tracey Johnson, the Family Institute Administrative
Assistant has been busy with many job
duty changes. She has transitioned a number
of tasks successfully back to Human Resources
and has also found a new online tracking system
for PATH grants. This new system is being
tested to see if it will help us track, manage and
account better for grants that are due or new.
We are excited about this new possibility.
Transitions: On a sadder note, Sam McDonald
has resigned her position as Development Director
to pursue other endeavors. We will miss
her spirit and abilities but wish her well. PATH
is assessing the development position and we
have not decided yet where this will go, so stay
tuned for future announcements.
Evaluations: As the end of the year approaches,
we have looked back at some of our outcomes
and other data metrics and wish to share
the findings on page 10. The stats are just some
things to mull over with your favorite mulling
spices during this season of transition and while
looking forward to 2017.
Stay warm and best wishes for a healthy and
joyous New Year! Shalom!
Continued on page 10.
Families Making the Difference

Page 8

ND Post Adopt Network Groups
By Sonja McLean, Post Adopt Coordinator
Here is info for the upcoming groups, and activities of the network:
Support Groups:
(RSVP encouraged but not required to postadopt@pathinc.org)
• Jan. 10th, 12-1pm: Grand Forks @ The Ember
• Jan. 10th, 6-7pm: Minot @ Minot PATH office (supper and childcare provided!)
• Jan. 17th, 9-10am: Fargo @ Red River Coffee Co.
• Feb. 14: 12-1pm: Grand Forks @ the Ember
• Feb. 16th, 12-1pm: Bismarck @ Path Office
• Feb. 16th, 6-7pm: Dickinson @ Dunn Bros. Coffee
• Feb. 20th, 9-10am: Fargo: Coffee Hour @ Red River Coffee Co., 2600 52nd Ave S, Fargo
Trainings:
• Jan. 24th, 6:30-7:30pm Nurtured Heart Approach (email postadopt@pathinc.org to register)
• Jan. 30th: 7-9pm PASE training: How to Approach Sexuality with Youth (Fargo: TBD)
Holiday Stress in Foster Children:
Strategies for Helping
Continued from page 6.
this time of year. Keep them active but do
keep things balanced. The holiday season
tends to lend itself to busyness so use common
sense to keep things in check.
• Find ways to incorporate the child’s family
traditions. Learn along side the child about
his/her native customs if he or she is culturally
different from the rest of your family.
• Help make sure a child’s loved ones are fine.
It may be as simple as making a phone call
to the caseworker or the family. Children will
worry about their family. Supporting family
connections is very important. Often siblings
in foster care are in separate placements
and this also makes this time of year difficult.
A card or small gift to his or her family can
provide hope and healing for both a child
and a parent.
Studies have shown that holidays are stressful
times for most of us; these reactions are compounded
especially for children who have experienced
trauma in their lives. Along with reminders
of holiday symbols and rituals, children
who have been traumatized during past holiday
seasons are bound to be on guard again now
without even knowing it. Understanding what is
behind the behavior is important.
Remember to be trauma-informed in your approach
and create that safe environment that allows
for understanding, respect, and support to
prevent re-traumatization. Happy Holidays!
Families Making the Difference

Family Institue Fare Continued from page 7.
A little over a year ago,
9% of the children in PATH were
under 5 years of age.
As of the end of this calendar
year, 21% of the youth served by
PATH have been, or are under
the age of 5.
82% of youth discharged from
PATH foster care and treatment
foster care programs have gone
to less restrictive environments,
with 94% of this number being
either returned to family,
extended family, or placed for
permanent guardianship or
adoption.
During calendar year 2016 PATH
has served 1199 clients and their
families.
During this calendar year
PATH closed 110 foster homes
and opened licenses on 126
families.
During this time frame, on all our
returned Satisfaction Surveys distributed
at the time of discharge or
service closure POSITIVE satisfaction
with PATH services and/or outcomes
was reported by 97% of youth served;
76% of families engaged in the program;
100% of the referral sources
and 98% of PATH resource families.
Thank you for changing the lives of PATH kids!
Name __________________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________City _________________________State ______ Zip_____
Phone____________________________Email _________________________________________
To give a gift by credit card please visit our website at pathinc.org or call 877-766-7284
What would you like to give to?
Program of Greatest Need
Special Needs Grants and Stepping Stones
Help find more families for PATH kids
Other ________________________
Amount ___________
Check if you’d like to keep
your donation anonymous
Where would you like your gift to go?
My local office
Statewide
Area of greatest need
Page 10
Would you like your gift given as a tribute to someone special?
No thanks, we’re just excited to help out!
Yes. Name of person(s) to tribute:
___________________________________________________
If more than one person, designate gift amount for each.
PATH is a 501(c)3 charitable organization

Foster Parent Acknowledgements
Anniversaries: January - February
17 Years
Marilyn & Roger DeCoteau, Turtle Mountain
Mary & Dan Willert, Devils Lake
16 Years
Matt Weis, Fargo
15 Years
Beverly Linda Baker, Grand Forks
14 Years
Kathy & Doug Ellingson, Grand Forks
Dawn & Todd Petersen, Fargo
11 Years
Margo Barnes, Fargo
Kendra Casavant, Bismarck
Mark Mayer, Grand Forks
Melodee Strong-Castillo, Minneapolis
10 Years
Dennis & LuAnn Hinnenkamp, Fargo
Tom & Pam Littlecreek, Dickinson
Debra Wobbema, Devils Lake
9 Years
Russell & Janis Anderson, Fargo
Tammy Gasal, Fargo
Rose & Jay Janssen, Devils Lake
Rebecca & Gary Jensen, Albert Lea
8 Years
Karen Breiner, Fargo
Jodi & Jason Germundson, Williston
7 Years
Eva Marleen & Jesse Cleverley, Twin Falls
Patricia Kay Nolan, Twin Falls
6 Years
Sherry & Keith Bonagofsky, Bismarck
Amy & Brian Pedersen, Grand Forks
4 Years
Cara & Paul Dyck, Minot
Jana & Robert Rugenstein, Fargo
Janelle & Eric Sanoski, Fargo
William & Carole Schalow, Fargo
3 Years
Janet & Monte Faul, Minot
Curtis Patnaude, Turtle Mountain
2 Years
Sara & Jason Bullis, Dickinson
Sharon Goldade, Bismarck
Lisa Heidrich, Bismarck
Patricia & Paul Kalibabky, Fargo
Floyd & Shirley Westall, Fargo
1 Year
Amanda Byrne, Fargo
Justin & Reyna Carle, Minot
Mindy & Brad Duttenhefer, Fargo
Teresa Fletcher, Fargo
Earline & Phillip Grosland, Foreston
Dawn Hoff, Bismarck
Ski Kostman, Moorhead
Lisa Lauckner, Devils Lake
Jennifer & Shane Rohweder, Fargo
Erin & Michael Romans, Jamestown
Amanda & Adam Sandstrom, Dickinson
Verena Theile, Fargo
Ticinie & Daniel Weber, Williston
Families Making the Difference

Foster Parent Acknowledgements
Welcome
Victoria & Christopher Beaty, Fargo
Ashley & Nicholas Coles, Fargo
Samantha Pedie & David Hertzberg, Turtle Mtn
Heidi & Jason Hesse, Fargo
Amanda & Thomas Hjelle, Fargo
Bettye Hoff, Fargo
Michael & Aldilha Kjelland, Jamestown
Hilery Klein, Fargo
Kenneth Staddick & Laurel Miller, Bismarck
Julie & Clifford Ludwig, Grand Forks
Eric & Tiana Nelson, Idaho Falls
Lindsey Jameson & Parker Metz, Fargo
Tim & Qandryel Romrell, Boise
Delora & Cyril Santini, Dickinson
Nicole & Saul Solano Salinas, Dickinson
Tanya Tinkler, Grand Forks
Kay & Doug Toczek, Ulen
Christie Wrage, Fargo
October - November
Farewell
Beverly Bergson, Jamestown
Gwen & Kurt Bloms, Fargo
Darlene & William Brooks, Grand Forks
Jacey DeCoteau, Turtle Mountain
Shanna & Mario Garcia, Fargo
Pamela & Tracy Hammargren, Grand Forks
Justin & Jenaah Hanson, Fargo
Tara & Brian Hilfiker, Dickinson
Gayle & Andrew Krause, Fargo
Michael & Charity Richardson, Lewiston
Darla & Donald Rudnick, Fargo
Denise & Jeff Spitzer, Bismarck
Posseh Urugbezi, Fargo
Victoria VanHorn, Dickinson
Lynda Vivier, Grand Forks
Jesse & Lynette Vollmer, Minot
Upcoming Conferences
International Conference on Child Maltreatment
January 29 - February 2, 2017
San Diego, CA
National Conference on Behavioral Healthcare
April 3-5, 2017
Seattle, WA
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
March 29-31, 2017
Washington, DC
National Foster Parent Association (NFPA)
June 21-24, 2017
Houston, TX
Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA)
July 16-19, 2017
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Association for Training on Trauma and
Attachment in Children (ATTACh)
October 12-14, 2017
Denver Marriott Tech Center, Denver CO
International Foster Care Organization (IFCO)
November 1-4, 2017
Valetta, Malta
Page 12

Employee Acknowledgements
Anniversaries: January - February
25 Years
Bobbi Geiger, Executive Director, Boise
23 Years
Diane Haug, Office Administrator, Minot
William Kerzman, Executive Director, Fargo
William Metcalfe, CEO, Fargo
5 Years
Tracey Klobuchar, Social Worker Supervisor, Fargo
Michelle Larson, Social Worker Supervisor, Boise
Ashley Peterson, Social Worker, Fargo
4 Years
Megan Bjone, Social Worker , Fargo
19 Years
Luana Graf, Social Worker, Rochester
10 Years
Tiffany Siggerud, Office Administrator, Fargo
8 Years
Joan Carman, Office Coordinator, Bismarck
6 Years
Michael Baukol, Maintenance Technician, Fargo
2 Years
Marianne Donner, Office Coordinator, Bismarck
Gerald Fredriksen, Janitor/Custodian, Minot
Joleen Hammon Office Administrator, Rochester
1 Year
Sara Davis, Social Services Coordinator, Williston
Bernice Delorme, Social Worker , Turtle Mt
Sonja McLean Social Worker, Fargo
Taylor Sandberg, Social Worker , Grand Forks
Welcome New Staff : October - November
Kristen Bjergaard, Social Worker, Minot - Born and raised in North Dakota and originally from Bismarck,
Kristen graduated from University of Mary. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, reading,
cooking and baking.
Michelle Iverson, Social Worker, Fargo - Michelle was born and raised in Grand Forks and attended UND for
her social work degree. She enjoys reading, attending UND hockey games, and going to the lake.
Derek Just, Social Services Coordinator, Minot - Derek is a Navy veteran and served on the USS Nimitz
aircraft carrier for six years. After his enlistment ended he obtained a BS in Criminal Justice from Minot State
University. He chose to leave his position as a Juvenile Detention Officer for a position at PATH so he could
work with young people in a more positive and impactful way.
Christan Krajeck, Office Coordinator, Fargo - Born in California and moved to North Dakota after being adopted.
She enjoys spending time with her husband, Anthony, and her daughter, Annabella.
Stormie Morgan, EHR Coordinator Intern, Fargo - Stormie is attending MState for her AAS degree and has
joined PATH to complete her internship for the Health Information Management program. She enjoys sewing,
working out, and rollerblading.
Katelyn Caspers, Family Support Worker, Fargo - Katelyn was born and raised in New London, MN. In
September of this year she got married (Jordan)! She enjoys running, reading, movies, and traveling.
Jennifer Stallones-Scott, Social Worker, Boise
Families Making the Difference

Contact Information
Idaho
North Dakota
Page 14
(208) 473-2191
(800) 948-4830
Fax (208) 473-2190
Boise
9167 W. State St.
Garden City, ID 83714
Idaho Falls
1750 E 17th St. E, Lower Level
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Lewiston
1451 7th St. #8
Clarkston, WA 99403
Minnesota
Fergus Falls
125 W. Lincoln Ave., Ste. 10
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone (218) 998-6715
(888) 229-4428
Fax (507) 923-4123
Rochester
1700 N Broadway, Ste. 160
Rochester, MN 55906
Phone (507) 923-4030
(877) 551-6274
Fax (507) 923-4132
Shoreview
5985 Rice Creek Parkway,
Ste. 205
Shoreview, MN 55126
Phone (612) 259-1600
(877) 264-7284
Fax (612) 259-1689
Bismarck
600 S. 2nd St. Ste. 220
Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone (701) 224-9611
(800) 766-9279
Fax (701) 224-9747
Devils Lake
1820 E Walnut St., Ste. 5
Devils Lake, ND 58301
Phone (701) 662-4913
(800) 766-9389
Fax (701) 662-4963
Dickinson
135 Sims St., Ste. 204
Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone (701) 225-3310
(800) 766-9351
Fax (701) 225-2208
Fargo
1202 Westrac Dr. S., Ste. 100
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone (701) 280-9545
(800) 766-9321
Fax (701) 280-9520
Grand Forks
212 S 4th St., Ste. 401
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone (701) 775-7725
(800) 766-9356
Fax (701) 775-7880
Administration
Fargo
1202 Westrac Dr. S., Ste. 400
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone (701) 280-9545
(800) 766-9321
Fax (701) 451-9473
Jamestown
300 2nd Ave. NE
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone (701) 251-9150
(800) 766-9363
Fax (701) 251-9130
Minot
1425 21st Ave. NW., Ste. A
Minot, ND 58703
Phone (701) 839-8887
(800) 766-9885
Fax (701) 839-8990
Turtle Mountain
PO Box 1970
Belcourt, ND 58316
Phone (701) 477-0525
(800) 303-4961
Fax (701) 477-0527
Williston
1319 2nd Ave. W., #104
Williston, ND 58801
(701) 572-7650
(800) 766-9387
Fax (701) 572-7656
Finance
Shoreview
5985 Rice Creek Parkway,
Ste. 202
Shoreview, MN 55126
Phone (612) 259-1600
(877) 264-7284
Fax (612) 259-1689

Board of Directors
Kathy Ellingson, President
Michelle Beyer, Vice President
Joseph H. Schultz, Secretary/Treasurer
William Metcalfe, Chief Executive Officer (Ex Officio)
Greg Sanders
Maureen Gilbertson
Lisa Bjergaard
Mary Rothmann
Vickie Meyer
Jan Kjelland
Lori Brownshield
Wannetta Bennett
Larry Bernhardt
Frank Sesek
Denny Hauck
Matthew Hallaway
Joseph C. Schultz

Professional Association of Treatment Homes
Administrative Services
1202 Westrac Dr. S., Suite 400
Fargo, ND 58103
Visit us on the web:
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Find us on
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@PATH_Inc
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