Crisman new director at Central Prairie

The Central Prairie Human Service Zone (Central Prairie) has a new director.

Madison Crisman, who's been the zone's interim director since February of this year, has now officially been hired for the role of director.

She took the interim job after the zone's previous director, Julie St. Germaine, resigned and took a position in western North Dakota to be closer to family. Since then, Crisman has earned the zone board's endorsement and respect, and looks forward to continuing her work as director.

The Lakota native graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in social work, and embarked on a rewarding career that allows her to do the one thing she enjoys most.

"It's the cheesy answer, but just helping people," said Crisman when asked why she went into social work. "I feel like I'm very personable, and I like getting to know people and their stories, and really helping them out no matter what situation they're in."

From abused and neglected children to the disabled and elderly, human service zones in North Dakota are tasked with giving the most vulnerable in our communities the help they need.

"You never know what you're gonna come across," said Crisman. "It's never boring and it's very fulfilling work."

The Central Prairie Human Service Zone comprises Eddy, Foster and Wells Counties, and they offer much needed support for each community with the help of Crisman and several dedicated social workers.

Among their most important tasks is child welfare services, which is what Crisman has spent most of her career doing.

After graduating from UND, she worked at the Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone for over two years, and also as a caseworker for a non-profit organization in Devils Lake.

And now, not only is she the director of Central Prairie, but she's also director of the Eastern Plains Human Service Zone, a position she's held for over two years.

She'll continue to serve as director for both zones moving forward, and will split her time between them just as she has been for several months now. Crisman said she'll continue to be at Central Prairie at least one or two days each week, rotating among the various offices in each county.

"A lot of this work is remote now so I'm always available for any questions," she added, "and if I'm needed here for meetings or anything like that I'm able to be here."

Crisman said she's excited to continue working at Central Prairie, and she encouraged anyone with questions about benefits, housing, foster care or any of the many important services offered by Central Prairie, to reach out.

The human service offices in Eddy County are located at 22 9th Street South in New Rockford and they can be reached via phone at (701) 947-5314.

The human service offices in Foster County are located in the basement of the Foster County Courthouse in Carrington and they can be reached via phone at (701) 652-2221.

The human service offices in Wells County are located in the KTL building at 600 Railway Street in Fessenden, directly across the street from the Wells County Courthouse.