News

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the 2024 – 2025 Business Plan, the first-ever produced since the Department of Health and Department of Human Services unified nearly two years ago.

The comprehensive plan highlights 74 projects that support the HHS vision that North Dakota can be the healthiest state in the nation.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is accepting public comment on an amendment to the state’s Medicaid 1915(c) waiver for home and community-based services (HCBS). The waiver pays for a variety HCBS that allow individuals who otherwise qualify for nursing home care to remain living in their homes and communities.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) celebrates National Recovery Month this September, as proclaimed by Gov. Doug Burgum. This month, HHS’s Behavioral Health Division aims to raise awareness about programs and services that support people in recovery, celebrate North Dakotans and their family members in recovery, and recognize the dedicated individuals who provide the prevention, treatment, and recovery support services that make recovery possible.

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed on Aug. 31. As North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) continues its effort to enhance services and supports it will commemorate this day by remembering those lost due to drug overdoses and recognizes the grief of their family members and friends. HHS is dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of drug overdoses and the available prevention resources that can help save lives in North Dakota.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce the continuation of the Behavioral Health School Grant program for the 2024 -2025 school year. This program is funded through an appropriation of $9.5 million from the 2023 legislative session. Applications for this school year can be submitted now through March 31, 2025, with funds expiring June 30, 2025. 

The transition from summer vacation to getting back into a routine and returning to school can be challenging for some children and families. It’s a mixture of emotions, new schedules, transitions and a lot of unknowns.

Employers in North Dakota know the challenges their workforce faces regarding access to quality, affordable child care. The North Dakota Employer Toolkit for Supporting Working Parents is now available as a quick, easy guide focused on resources and programs employers can support to help working parents.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends some back-to-school health and well-being practices to support strong, stable families and vibrant communities. 

More than a dozen agencies across North Dakota received grant funding in January, totaling over $7 million from the North Dakota Opioid Settlement Fund (OSF) Grant. These funds have been instrumental in supporting implementation of prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery initiatives, as well as enhancing the state's behavioral health workforce. Over the past six months, nearly 900 North Dakotans have benefited from programs and services funded by these grants.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is partnering with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation to provide training in the newly updated American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria to North Dakota behavioral health professionals. The ASAM Criteria are the most widely used clinical standards for identifying the treatment needs of patient with addiction and co-occurring conditions in the nation. The HHS training initiative, which began in July, aims to enhance the knowledge and expertise of professionals treating substance use disorder and mental health conditions across the state. It has been met with overwhelming demand, prompting the addition of several new training sessions through August.