Board of Directors 
Judy L. DeMers, RN, MEd.
PRESIDENT
Associate Dean, UND Medical School
David Putbrese
VICE-PRESIDENT
Vice President, Community Bank of the Red River Valley
Kim Jones
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Program Coordinator, UND Division of Continuing Education DIRECTORS
Dr. Leland H. Lipp, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Lipp, Carlson, Lommen, and Witucki, Ltd.
David Braaten
Retired Director, Grand Forks County Social Services
Ron Gibbens
CEO, North Dakota Association for the Disabled
Jan DeRemer
Attorney, The Woman's Law Office
George Hastings
Owner, Hastings Heating and Air Conditioning
Dennis Johnson
Pharmacist, Owner Wall's Medicine Center
Dianne Mondry
Eastern Outreach Coordinator For Congressman Earl Pomeroy (Fargo, ND)
Bill Graveline
Retired Teacher, Grand Forks Public Schools
Irene Dybwad
Foster Care Supervisor, Grand Forks County Social Services
Leadership Team
Sandra J. Marshall, MSW, LCSW
Chief Executive Officer
Sandi has a BS degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota and an MSW degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Sandi has worked professionally in public and private human service settings since 1976. She has managed programs and agencies at the local, regional and state level, primarily in the field of developmental disabilities. Her experiences include 18 years with the ND Department of Human Services, serving first as the program manager of an early deinstitutionalization program in Grand Forks, as Regional DD Program Administrator for the Grand Forks region, and then as the Director of the Developmental Disabilities Division in Bismarck for seven years. Sandi has also directed programs in New Mexico serving individuals with developmental disabilities, directed a foster care agency, Casey Family Programs, in Bismarck, and most recently has been on the faculty of the UND Department of Social Work.
Sandi is a native of Grand Forks and worked here until 1989. She returned in 2003, and is embracing her home community. Sandi is married to Doug Marshall, a professor in the UND Department of Aviation. They have a combined family of three adult daughters, Andrea, Meghan, and Marisa, and two grandchildren. Sandi has been active in various community service activities for many years, including currently serving on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army and the Advisory Board for the UND Center for Community Engagement. Professionally, she is a member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in North Dakota.
Pamela S. Heyd, BBA, MBA, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Pam has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Dakota (1987) and a Master of Business Administration (2004) from The University of Mary, Bismarck, ND.
Pam has worked in the business administration field since 1998. Her work experiences include working as a Business Manager for Prairie Harvest Foundation for 6 years and as the Clinical Director for Towner County Medical Center for 1 year.
Pam is committed to on going professional training through adult education courses, American Management Association seminars, training provided by North Dakota CPA Association and Lorman Education Services training.
Nancy K. Ulrich Crotty, BSW, LSW
Residential Services Director
Nancy K. Ulrich Crotty has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota (UND). She is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of North Dakota, and has worked in the field of Developmental Disabilities since 1981.
Her employment experiences include being a Social Worker from 1981 to 1985, and a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) from 1985 until 1987 at what is now called the Developmental Center in Grafton, ND.
Nancy joined Development Homes, Inc. in 1987 as a QMRP; and, in 1991 she was promoted to Program Director. Currently, Nancy in her position as Residential Services Director oversees the administration of the delivery of residential supports and services to over 130 persons with disabilities. She directly supervises the Adult Service Coordinators, Lead Social Service Coordinator and Nursing Service Coordinator who together are responsible for the performance of over 175 staff in Residential Services.
As a native of South Central North Dakota, Nancy has resided in the Grand Forks area since beginning college at UND.
Cindy Holweger, BSW, LSW
Quality Enhancement Director
Cindy has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota and is licensed in the State of North Dakota. She is also certified in Computer Operations from the North Dakota State School of Science and in Developmental Disabilities from Minot State University.
Cindy has worked in the field of disabilities for the past 25 years. These years have been spent at Development Homes, Inc. in direct support, group home management of the children's facility, and program coordination of three group homes. In 1992, she was promoted to her current position as Quality Enhancement Director overseeing compliance to licensing and accreditation standards, as well as supervising the staff training personnel.
Cindy is a member of Northern OSHA, Northern Valley Nonprofit Organization, and the Northern Valley Dental Health Coalition. She is a past member of the Chamber of Commerce Business Committee, the ARC Family Support and Education Committee, and the Intrepid Home Health Service Advisory Board.
Cindy is currently working toward a Masters in Public Affairs emphasizing Nonprofit Management from Park University in Parkville, Mo.
Kara Odegaard
Development Director
Kara has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Gifted and Talented Education, with a minor in Criminal Justice. She has over ten years of experience in the charitable gaming industry in North Dakota. She began with the Development Homes' Charitable Gaming department in 2000, progressively serving as a shift supervisor, assistant site manager, auditor, and interim gaming director.
Kara was promoted to her current position as Development Director in March 2007. In this capacity, Kara provides oversight to the DHI charitable gaming program, audits gaming functions, and is responsible for development of new resources to enhance program services, including grant-writing and development of a variety of fund-raising activities.
Gordon R. Johnson
Facilities and Equipment Director
Gordon attended the University of North Dakota pursuing a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice.
Gordon has worked in the field of housing and loss prevention for fifteen years. His experiences include Youth and Community Services Director for Grand Forks Housing and Urban Development, Housing Inspector for Fargo Housing, and Loss Prevention Manager for JC Penney Corporation.
Gordon began his career with Development Homes, Inc. in 1999 when he was hired as the Facilities and Equipment Director. While working at Development Homes, Gordon has obtained two professional licenses from the National Center for Housing Management: Certified Occupancy Specialist and Certified Manager of Maintenance.
Jen Schulz
Vocational Services Director
Jen Schulz has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Augsburg College in Psychology. She was an active campus member and graduated in 1999. While in college she participated on the Augsburg College Track and Field team, and was co-captain her senior year. She was an active member of the Psychology Club as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Jen was a resident advisor for 2 years while in college, and also worked as a personal care attendant. It was her job as a personal care attendant, and her internship at the Courage Center that led her this field.
After college she worked at AccessAbility, Inc in Minneapolis. AccessAbility is a non-profit day provider. AccessAbility had both in-house and community base employment, including NISH contracts, and a document conversion business. While working there Jen held several positions, all with in the vocational program. The jobs she held included case management, supervisory as well as upper management. Jen had the opportunity to be a part of several services provided by this employer, and worked with many different people, but the most exciting part of her employment was being a part of the development and opening of the document conversion business.
After 7 years of employment with AccessAbilty Jen resigned in 2005 and moved from the Twin Cities to Grand Forks. Development Homes was an employer that was immediately appealing to Jen as the vocational services were similar to that of her former employer, and she could see the great opportunity that department has in this community. She started working for Development Homes in Sept of 2005.
Jen has lived in the Grand Forks area for over a year now, and enjoys the life style this town offers. She and her husband outdoor activities like hiking, and hunting, with their two dogs, as well as the local sporting events. Jen enjoy gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Mary Dittmer
Human Resources Director
Mary Dittmer has a Bachelors of Science degree in Social Psychology and Criminal Justice Administration from Park College, and a Masters in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Non-Profit and Community Services Management from Park University in Parkville, Michigan. Additionally, Mary has an Associate of Arts in Developmental Disabilities from Minot State University and a Human Resource Management Certificate from the Society for Human Resource Management. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, as well as of the National Association of QMRP's and the American Society for Public Administration.
Mary has 16 years of experience in the provision of services to people with developmental disabilities, with approximately 13 of those years with Development Homes, Inc. She has served in a variety of capacities including; shift supervisor, residential manager, staff training coordinator, program coordinator, and adult services coordinator. She began in September 2007 in the new position of Human Resources Director.
Mary was selected as the recipient of the Dr. Leland H. Lipp Leadership Award in 2004 for Development Homes, Inc. We welcome Mary to her new position!
History 
Development Homes, Inc. (DHI) has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities since its inception in 1974. Dr. Leland H. Lipp, Clarence Ohlsen and Richard Christensen, three local professionals working in the field of children's services, founded Development Homes, Inc. DHI began as a single foster home on Dyke Avenue that offered therapeutic residential care for children needing access to the former Medical Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Forks. The group home allowed these children to live in a nurturing, family-like atmosphere.
DHI has played an important role in the restructuring of North Dakota's services to persons with developmental disabilities. In 1982, the Association for Retarded Citizens initiated a class action lawsuit against the State of North Dakota. The lawsuit challenged on constitutional grounds the condition and treatment of residents at two public institutions, the Grafton State School and San Haven. Under the settlement, North Dakota initiated efforts aimed at moving residents out of these state-run institutions into community-based living programs and to provide appropriate education, training and support services to people with developmental disabilities in the communities where they lived. The State of North Dakota turned to local non-profit service providers like DHI to implement these programs. In response to the need, DHI evolved from the operator of a single group home to a multi-faceted provider of residential, transitional and vocational support services.
Over the past 20 years, DHI's community-based services have expanded through the following initiatives:
- 1982 - DHI built two group homes, one for children and one for adults with physical disabilities.
- 1983 - DHI took over the management of six additional group homes owned by The Arc Upper Valley and Grand Forks Homes.
- 1985 - Three DHI group homes achieved certification for funding under the Federal Title 19 Medicaid Program.
- 1987 - DHI was licensed to serve individuals living in their own apartments and homes under the Individual Supported Living Arrangement (ISLA) and Supported Living Arrangement (SLA) programs.
- 1990 - DHI started the Family Support Services program providing respite care and in home training services for children still living in their family homes.
- 1992 - DHI achieved national accreditation for outstanding programmatic service by The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People with Disabilities. This status has been maintained through regular accreditation surveys.
- 1994 - DHI created Spaces for Living, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary designed to own and manage a HUD Section 8 low income housing project consisting of the four ARC group homes and to develop additional affordable housing options for other people receiving services.
- 1999 - DHI initiated Vocational Support Services through the Supported Employment and Extended Services programs.
- 2001 - DHI began the Day Supports program, which offers persons unable to meet the performance criteria of the other vocational programs with opportunities to work.
Licensing and Accreditation
Licensing: Development Homes, Inc.'s services are licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Unit of the North Dakota Department of Human Services.
Accreditation: Development Homes, Inc. is accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). CQL is a national quality enhancement organization which is committed to ensure that people with disabilities lead lives of dignity and quality.
2007 Quality Enhancement Plan
Initiatives were developed by the Quality Circle in the areas of new services, transportation, health care access, employee wellness, social capital, employee safety, consumer employment, human rights, housing, and staff continuity.
Responsive Service #1: Collaborate with various organizations and agencies to provide consumer driven services to children and adults diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Professionals from the region are looking at developing a family resource center, and obtaining funding for a variety of residential services, including in-home support.
Community Life #2: Collaborate with community members to increase routes and extend hours of area transit as outlined in the Human Services Coordinated Transit Plan that was developed for the disabled.
A Metro Planning Committee is working on increasing the number of bus routes as well as extending hours on Saturday, and operating the service on Sunday. One of the bus stops in now the Development Homes office.
Community Life #3: Collaborate with local and state-wide community members to increase access to preventive health care for people with limited incomes.
Representatives from 44 organizations have successfully opened a dental clinic in downtown Grand Forks to serve the uninsured and underinsured in eastern ND and western MN.
Basic Assurance #4: Provide information and activities to promote a healthy lifestyle among its employees with 25% of employees participating in a Wellness Program.
An internal committee is developing an employee wellness program in an effort to reduce sick leave and medical claims through wellness activities such as encouraging healthy eating, exercise, and preventive health care.
Social Capital #5: Engage in activities to encourage the participation of organizational members in social capital activities, and increase the percentage of bridging social capital outcomes for consumers by 7%.
The organization is doing a variety of activities to increase participation in community activities, such as volunteering, joining social and service clubs, and participating in the political process.
Basic Assurance #6: Partner with Workforce Safety and NOSHA to decrease the number of employee injury claims and reduce premiums by 30%.
A Safety Outreach Plan was developed and the goals were achieved in June 2007. Claims for worker’s comp reduced by 65% and premium claims by 35%. 12 electric lifts were obtained through a grant that will be used in group homes and apartment settings.
Community Life #7: Enhance community and business partnerships to provide employment opportunities for consumers that complement their skills and employment interests.
The vocational department is working on increasing the number of job placements in the community through a better assessment process, stabilizing schedules, attending workshops on vocational issues, working with an internal task force, and increasing consumer’s job skills.
Basic Assurance #8: Collaborate with the Human Rights Committee to develop a process that assures consumers have input into restrictions to their rights.
A process was developed that enables consumers to express their disagreement with rights restrictions that are proposed by their interdisciplinary team, providing a more effective due process system.
Community Life #9: Collaborate with various organizations and agencies to provide affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities and the elderly.
There is several collaborations working on housing. An internal task force is looking at residential housing for autism. A coalition is working on recruiting families to provide adult foster care, and there are two Mayor’s committees that are examining housing needs for an aging community, and an initiative to end homelessness in 10 years.
Basic Assurance #10: Implement various strategies to reduce employee turnover by 10%.
Over the past year, the organization did several things to reduce turnover including such things as increased direct support wages and a hiring bonus, advertising in non-traditional ways, and better utilization of the website. There are plans to obtain better data in regards to separation, and to conduct an employee satisfaction survey next year.
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