NPCAC Staff
Christal Halseth, LCSW
Executive Director
Christal was raised in a very small town, Ontonagon, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She left Michigan in 1998 and lived in Aviano, Italy, where she was a supervisor for AAFES. She returned stateside in 2001 and received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Minot State University. During her time at MSU, she worked with The Village Family Service Center as a mental health behavior specialist and supervised visitation coordinator.
Christal began her career at Easter Seals Goodwill of ND as a program coordinator and then became ESGW ND Assistant Director. After completing her Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University, she began her clinical supervision as forensic interviewer at the UND Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center. She was a CPS worker for Ward County Social Services for a short time and after the NPCAC became its own non-profit organization, she returned, and became its Executive Director in 2015.
She now oversees agency operations and writes state, federal, and community grants that support the center’s programs. Christal sits on the board of directors for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of ND and is a member of ND’s Alliance for Children’s Justice Task Force. In 2023, she was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum to serve on the Commission on Juvenile Justice. She speaks publicly about issues and dynamics related to crimes against children. Christal enjoys spending time with her husband and their 8 children, as well as traveling to Northern Michigan to be with her extended family.
Shannon Hilfer, LPCC
Forensic Interview Supervisor
Shannon joined the NPCAC in 2018 after more than a decade of work at the Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center in Bismarck as their forensic interviewer. She has been an integral part in many cases involving children who have been sexually abused or are victims of other crimes. She acts as NPCAC’s multi-disciplinary team coordinator and conducts training for various disciplines, including law enforcement across the state in areas of crimes against children. Her knowledge and skills have been an asset to our organization.
Jessica Evans, PhD
Forensic Interviewer
Dr. Jessica Evans is an Army veteran originally from Fall River, MA. Her military service brought her to the Midwest where she obtained degrees in management, criminal justice, and forensic psychology. She came to NPCAC from White Shield School where she was a long-term substitute teacher and paraprofessional. Jessica’s research interests include human trafficking, criminal psychology, and abnormal psychology.
Jessica enjoys family game nights with her husband and four children. She also likes to crochet, complete puzzles, and diamond art.
Heather Waller, LBSW
Forensic Program Coordinator
Heather has been Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center since 2014. She supports children and their families through the investigation and prosecutorial process of child abuse. She assists caregivers in obtaining services, provides on-going support, and serves as a liaison between the families and multidisciplinary team members.
Jesse Crosby, LCAC
Family Advocate / Clinical Addiction Counselor
Jesse Crosby is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor with a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies from Minot State University. Jesse had been providing services to adolescents and adults in the area since 2016 and joined the NPCAC in 2021 to offer substance use counseling services. He enjoys spending time with his wife and family, as well as playing basketball, camping, and traveling.
Benjamin Parker, LCSW
Clinical Supervisor
Ben Parker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University, along with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Minot State University. Originally from Wyoming, Ben has been living in Minot since 2012. His past work experience includes working with victims of domestic violence, special education individuals, at-risk youth, and family therapy. In his free time, he enjoys playing Xbox, reading, making music, and trying new recipes.
Shari Lunde, LCSW
Child & Family Therapist
Shari is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of South Dakota. She has extensive experience working with both youth and adults facing challenges related to mental health and addiction. With a deep understanding of rural life and values, Shari brings a grounded, compassionate approach to her therapeutic work. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and expressing her creativity through crafting.
Kaycee Verlinde, LMSW
Child & Family Therapist
Kaycee has a master’s degree in social work obtained from the University of South Dakota. She has experience in working with youth and adults in behavioral health crisis. She has also worked with individuals with specific behavioral intervention needs. She is currently working towards her clinical licensure. In her free time, she enjoys gardening (when it’s warm out), playing with her dog and cat, reading comics, playing games like dungeons and dragons with her friends, listening to music, and making art crafts like diamond painting.
Tressa Blake
Intake Specialist/Office Coordinator
Tressa Blake has worked in administrative capacities for several Minot-area clinics, both in the medical and mental health fields. Her passion is to advocate for children and connect with others in the community. She loves trying out new restaurants and visiting local businesses. Tressa resides in Minot with her three children and two cats.
Connie Wilson
Director of Finance
Connie is a native of Minot and started with the Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center as a board member in 2010. She was the board treasurer from 2017 to 2019.
In 2020, she handled all the finances for the NPCAC and in 2021 joined the staff full-time. She advocates our mission within our community and assists the Executive Director with day-to-day operations. Connie enjoys spending time with her husband and children and is a very active volunteer in the Minot community.
Sean Rock
Family Advocate
Sean has been a lifelong resident of Minot and has worked with youth in a variety of settings since 2017, including crisis shelters and other child-serving agencies. At Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center, he plays a key role in supporting children and their families as they navigate the investigative, legal, and treatment processes following allegations of abuse. He provides ongoing guidance, connects families with essential resources, and serves as a consistent point of contact between families and multidisciplinary team members.
Outside of work, he enjoys video games, reading, game mastering tabletop role-playing games, and exploring new music.