News

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the agency’s Child Support Section achieved a record high collection rate of 77.4% for the current federal fiscal year.

The collection rate reflects nearly $90 million that parents paid and received of the $116 million of current support that was due in the last year.

This record high excels in comparison to the national average in 2022, which was 64%. Historically, North Dakota has been a national leader in achieving high collection rates, consistently ranking within the top five states.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota, today announced the launch of enhanced interactive online training for mandated reporters.

There are between 1,000 to 1,200 confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect in North Dakota each year. The training serves as a fundamental tool in informing mandated reporters what to report and how to report concerns about suspected child abuse or neglect.

North Dakota Health and Human Services Medical Services Division is seeking public comment on the 2024 draft of the North Dakota (ND) Medicaid Quality Strategy Plan. The comprehensive plan includes monitoring and ongoing process improvement to ensure ND Medicaid members receive quality health care and services that support their overall health and well-being.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced that the West Central Human Service Center (WCHSC) and several other offices at the Prairie Hills Plaza location at 1237 West Divide Ave., in Bismarck, will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 30 for the rest of the day starting at 12 p.m., due to water main repair work. 

Funds still available for student behavioral health support

The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health Division is encouraging eligible North Dakota public, private and tribal elementary and secondary schools to apply for the Behavioral Health School Grant program. Special education units and school districts that billed North Dakota Medicaid during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible to apply and use the funds to enhance their behavioral health services and supports for students.

The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Behavioral Health Division today announced the North Dakota Opioid Settlement Fund Grant and the opportunity to submit applications for grant funding.  

National opioid settlements have been reached with opioid manufacturers and distributers, and North Dakota is one of the many states that participated in these settlements. A requirement for states receiving the settlement funds is the establishment of an advisory committee and utilizing the funds in a way that aligns with Exhibit E of the settlement documents.  

Roughly 1 in 6 Americans get sick due to foodborne diseases each year. Since Thanksgiving is a holiday known for the preparation of large meals to be enjoyed between friends and family, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) wants to remind North Dakotans that preparing and handling food in the correct way is important to prevent foodborne illnesses.

North Dakota leads the nation in employment of people with disabilities at 58%. This national distinction is due in part to North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) vocational rehabilitation professionals who helped 737 North Dakotans with disabilities obtain competitive, integrated employment in their community last federal fiscal year.

An estimated 57,800 adults in North Dakota are living with diabetes and 15,000 may not know it.

This November during Diabetes Awareness Month, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds North Dakotans about the importance of prevention, as well as access to treatment and support services for individuals living with diabetes.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is encouraging all new and expectant parents to talk with a trusted health care provider about options for preventing respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, commonly referred to as RSV, in infants, ahead of expected case increases and while supplies are potentially limited.