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	Coordinated School Health Staff
	Valerie Fischer, Director (701) 328-4138 Valerie has been the Director of School Health since February 2004 and previously worked for DPI in Special Education for nine years. She is responsible for unit oversight to include the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) three grant programs: Coordinated School Health, HIV/AIDS prevention education, and Youth Risk Behavior Survey/PROFILES. Additionally, the Unit is responsible for the US Department of Education's Title IV - Safe & Drug Free Schools and Communities program. Valerie is also the Director of Adult Education and supervises the Adult Education, GED and Displaced Homemakers programs. Valerie’s undergraduate degrees are in Sociology and Criminal Justice and Master’s degree in Guidance/Counseling and Management. She is a licensed professional counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor. Gail Schauer, Assistant Director (701) 328-2265 Gail was hired as the Assistant Director of School Health in September 2010.  She has been with DPI since August of 1998.  She has previously worked for DPI as the Assistant Director in Title I and a Special Education Coordinator.  Gail's primary role is project director for Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Coordinated School Health (CSH) grant; however, she also shares supervision for the HIV/YRBS and backup administration for the Coordinated School Health unit. Gail has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Family Relations, a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and a master's degree in Special Education.  She has a reading credential, a math credential, and endorsements in learning disabilities and emotionally disturbed.  She is currently working towards an administrator's credential. Chuck Kessler, Health Education Coordinator (701) 328-2269 Chuck was hired as a Health Education Coordinator for the Department of Public Instruction in October, 2011.  His primary role is with the Physical Activity, Nutrition, Tobacco and Health Education Program (PANTH) components of Coordinated School Health (CSH).  His duties include coordinating collaboratively on health promotion and risk reduction activities, providing professional development opportunities and resources intended to increase physical activity and reducing youth obesity. Chuck graduated with a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Physical Education and minor in Biology from Valley City State University, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from NDSU. Sandra Tibke, Health Education Coordinator (701) 328-2098 Sandy has been with the Department of Public Instruction since July 2009 as the Health Education Coordinator.  She is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the HIV Prevention Program.  In addition, she coordinates and works collaboratively on health promotion, professional development opportunities, resources and risk reduction activities.  Sandy has her Master’s Degree in Sociology. Deb Pilon, Administrative Staff Officer (701) 328-2753 Deb is the administrative manager for Coordinated School Health and maintains both programmatic and fiscal portfolios for the unit’s grants with CDC, specifically the YRBS and HIV/AIDS programs. She has an Associate degree from BSC. Deb began working for the Department of Public Instruction in 1993 and has been with School Health Programs since January 1998. Julie Vetter, Administrative Staff Officer (701) 328-3265 Juliann works quarter time as an administrative staff officer for Coordinated School Health, working with the Safe & Drug Free Schools monitoring and data collection.  Additionally, Julie works for the Grants Management unit at the Department of Public Instruction. She is a graduate of Bismarck State College and has been with the Department of Public Instruction since 2005.
	North Dakota Department of Health Liaison Staff
	Joyal Meyer, CSH Director, ND Dept of Health   (701) 328-4534 Joyal Meyer joined the Department of Health in November 2011.  She is the Director of Coordinated School Health Program for the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH).  Joyal directs the overall operation and management of the cooperative agreement. At the NDDoH, Joyal also works with the Maternal and Child Health Program.  She is a Registered Nurse and earned her bachelor’s degree from Medcenter One College of Nursing in 2008.  She has 3 years of hospital/clinical experience in obstetrics and gynecology.  Joyal is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Nursing Administration from University of Mary. Kim Mertz, CSH Principal Investigator, ND Dept. of Health (701) 328-4528 Kim Mertz joined the North Dakota Department of Health in 2000 as a nurse consultant and became director of the Division of Family Health in 2003.  The Division of Family Health administers several programs, including Coordinated School Health.  Kim earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Medcenter One College of Nursing in Bismarck, N.D.  Judy Thomson, CSH Program Manager, ND Dept. of Health (701) 328-4855 Judy Thomson joined the Department of Health Coordinated School Health team in March of 2009.  She is the CSH Program Manager and functions in a part time position.  Judy has 35 years invested in public education. She brings the school connection partnership to the CSH team. Judy’s undergraduate degrees are in Elementary Education and Physical Education. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and holds an Elementary and Secondary Principal’s credential. Colleen Ebach, Administrative Assistant (701) 328-2356 Colleen is the administrative assistant for the North Dakota Department of Health's (NDDoH) Coordinated School Health Program as well as the Oral Health Program. She has an Associate of Applied Science degree from Bismarck State College. Colleen has 15 years of experience working in state government.

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North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Dr. Wayne G. Sanstead, State Superintendent 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201 Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0440 701/328-2260 Disclaimer Statement