Starting October 20, Bismarck will host the 2025 Behavioral Health & Children & Family Services Conference at the Bismarck Event Center. The four-day event draws providers, caregivers, educators, tribal and faith leaders statewide, blending in-person and virtual sessions.
This marks the 5th annual iteration of the conference, with pre-conference sessions on Oct. 20 and the main event running Oct. 21–23. Attendance includes behavioral health agencies, child welfare professionals, foster/kinship caregivers, law enforcement, schools, and health systems.
Bismarck, already central in North Dakota’s health and human services infrastructure, becomes a hub for statewide dialogue and networking during these days. The activation of the Bismarck Event Center months ahead of a concert signals the venue's versatility and increasing role in community programming.
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). The conference aims to offer CEUs across multiple disciplines (social work, counseling, psychology, addiction, foster care).
Keynote speakers. Featured presenters include Lara Love Hardin, a prison-reform advocate and author, and David Ambroz, an expert in poverty and child welfare.
Hybrid format & sponsorship. Virtual attendance options and virtual booths expand reach beyond Bismarck.
Local partnerships. Bismarck’s health systems, schools, non-profits, and county services are expected to engage with breakout sessions, panels, and exhibitor booths.
“We’re honored to host professionals from across the state here in Bismarck,” said a ND HHS Behavioral Health coordinator. “This is our chance to strengthen connections and share best practices in real time.”
A foster parent from rural Burleigh County commented, “For us outside the metro area, this is an opportunity to learn, network, and bring new tools back home where resources are often thin.”
When Zach Top steps on stage Nov. 7, it won’t just be a concert — it’ll be a statement: Bismarck is ready for the big-league country acts. If you love boots, twang, and raw emotion on guitar strings, this is your night. Don’t miss your shot to say, “I saw him when he was passing through Bismarck.
The influx of professionals and guests boosts local hospitality, restaurants, lodging. It further positions Bismarck as a policy & services hub in ND’s behavioral health system. The timing gives local agencies a chance to showcase initiatives, recruit partners, and influence statewide strategies. It cements Bismarck Event Center’s role beyond concerts: as a stage for community, policy, and service forums.
As the 2025 Behavioral Health & Children & Family Services Conference unfolds Oct. 20–23 in Bismarck, the city steps into a dual role: host and amplifier. For local professionals, agencies, caregivers and residents, it’s more than a conference—it’s a catalyst. Expect collaborations, fresh policy directions, and stronger networks flowing from Bismarck outward.