Children's Treatment Services - Level of Care

Parents and guardians, agency case workers, and treatment providers can engage in a streamlined assessment process for children and youth who are referred for out-of-home treatment. Children’s Treatment Services – Level of Care, is a unified effort between Health and Human Services (HHS) and a contracted partnership with Maximus.

The assessment process will determine the most appropriate treatment placement for North Dakota children and youth. It will ensure needs are met in the least restrictive setting by using a single evidence-based assessment tool. Maximus will serve as the third-party assessor, offering consistency and efficiency in reviewing treatment needs. 

Purpose of the Children’s Treatment Services – Level of Care

• Ensure children receive the right services, at the right time, for the right duration.
• Determine the least restrictive most appropriate level of care.
• Ensure community services have been used and or considered before seeking out-of-home or residential treatment for children.
• Ensure families or case workers have a clear process when seeking out-of-home or residential treatment for a child in their care.

How is the clinical assessment completed?

Maximus contracted employees located in North Dakota will complete the evidence-based assessment tool, which includes:

• Interviews with the child, family, therapist, and treatment providers.
• A review of clinical and treatment services supporting documentation.
• A review every 90 days when a child is in a residential treatment facility.
• A review every 180 days when a child is in treatment foster care.

Additional support 

A clinical alignment team consists of HHS team members from Behavioral Health, Children and Family Services, Medical Services, and contracted employees from Maximus. The dedicated team meets weekly to review cases, ensure clinical support model criteria are met, provide trainings for providers and partners, and implement process and policy changes if needed.  

If you have a specific question and would like to connect with a team member, contact:

• Medical Services - dhsmedicalservices@nd.gov
• Behavioral Health Navigator - bhnavigator@nd.gov
• Children and Family Services Licensing and Level of Care - cfslicensing@nd.gov 
• Vendor Website - Maximus
   

* Emergent admission may be necessary if a youth meets criteria for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and requires placement within 24 hours to ensure safety that cannot be met by a lower level of care, but is not in need of an acute, inpatient stay.