How better to serve Williston and the surrounding area's human service needs was the topic of discussion at a public meeting Tuesday morning.

Leaders from the North Dakota Human Services Department led a 90-minute discussion with over 30 area residents Tuesday at the Psychosocial Club on Second Street West. The meeting was one of a series being held in the largest eight cities in the state in recent weeks to hear about area needs and priorities.

Executive director Carol Olson said the conversation at the club went very well and she was pleased with the level of input from the community.

Olson said the purpose of the meeting is to gather input from the various communities to better serve people. She said topics of discussion may vary in different areas, but some recurring themes have been surfacing during the meetings. Olson said one of the topics that has been mentioned on more than one occasion is youth services, especially for those just reaching adulthood.

"Services available to those in that 18- to 21-year-old age group has been a concern; people getting out of foster care and needing to make that adjustment. That one has been mentioned statewide," said Olson. Nancy McKenzie, statewide Human Services director, said the feedback they received is very helpful.

"This group in Williston, we always really get good input from them," said McKenzie.

McKenzie said another topic that was brought up during the meeting was transportation. She said transportation is an issue that can impact the ability of North Dakotans to getting the services they need and want.

McKenzie said with only a small number of psychologists and psychiatrists throughout the state, it can be tough for people to make appointments for themselves or their children.

"People have the whole work day or their children's school days to work around, so it can be difficult to get to a location to meet with someone," said McKenzie.

She said they try to have collaboration throughout the state with their resources to try to help people in more rural areas.

McKenzie said the use of technology has done a lot in achieving this. She said they sometimes use polycam systems located in their various regional offices so psychologists and psychiatrists can hold their appointments with patients by computer with Web cams.

"Access is a problem, so different departments such as social services and human services working together can really help," said McKenzie.

During the meeting, traumatic brain injuries and how to help deal with them was a concern raised by one attendee.

Public information officer Heather Steffl said this was one of several other issues raised by those who came to Tuesday's meeting.

"The elderly and disabled were also discussed. We have to be able to provide services to them and that's where transportation becomes important," said Steffl.

McKenzie added getting services to the more rural areas is important. She said there is a lot of distance to travel for people in such areas.

"Williston knows the extent of the ruralness issue in this part of the state," said McKenzie.

She added some issues have been repeated statewide such as transportation, child and elderly issues.

"It's good that people have come out and talked about these things. It's very helpful as we update our strategic plan and begin our budgeting process. This is a first step in that process," said McKenzie.

The North Dakota Human Services Department operates on a two-year, $2.3 billion budget and currently employs about 2,000 people statewide.

People who missed Tuesday's meeting can still submit ideas, concerns and recommendations by either sending them to by mail to 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, N.D., 58505-0250 or by e-mailing dhseo@nd.gov.

For more information on the North Dakota Human Services Department, visit www.nd.gov/dhs.