News

Today, North Dakota’s Health and Human Services agency’s Behavioral Health Division launched a mental health program directory to better help North Dakotans locate and access mental health services in the state. This is the latest development in the state’s efforts to enhance and streamline access to vital mental health services.

The state’s Health and Human Services agency is reminding North Dakotans who may need help paying their winter heating bills that they can now apply for the state’s home energy assistance program. Applications for the upcoming 2022-2023 heating season can be submitted now through May 31, 2023.

Today, North Dakota’s Health and Human Services (HHS) agency’s Behavioral Health Division announced a third round of grant funding for eligible North Dakota public, private and tribal elementary and secondary schools to enhance their behavioral health services and supports for students with behavioral health needs.

Two key priorities of North Dakota’s Health and Human Services agency are behavioral health and strong, stable families. These topics are the cornerstone of an upcoming conference hosted by the agency’s Behavioral Health and Children and Families Services divisions on Oct. 11-13. Individuals can attend either in-person at the Holiday Inn Fargo or virtually by an online livestream. 

Organizations and agencies are gathering in Bismarck early next week to discuss solutions to the state’s growing behavioral health workforce shortage.

North Dakota’s Health and Human Services agency is offering more than $2 million in provider development grants to entities that want to develop or expand in-home and community-based (HCBS) services that enable North Dakotans with disabilities to live more independently in the community.

During National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 18-24, 2022, the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in partnership with Vision Zero warns parents and caregivers not to transition their children from a belt positioning booster seat to only a seat belt too early. Children who use a belt positioning booster seat in the back seat of the car are 45% less likely to be injured in a crash than children who use only a seat belt.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) was notified on September 16, 2022, that the raccoon identified in connection with the incident at the Maddock Bar tested negative for rabies.

HHS issued a statement on September 13 regarding the situation, as at that time the whereabouts of the raccoon were still being determined. 

Both the original story and the update are available in this post.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) encourage people who come into contact with live poultry to take precautions to avoid illness. Contact with live poultry or their environments can be a source of germs such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. There is also a potential for infection with avian Influenza A virus.

Gov. Doug Burgum has proclaimed September as Recovery Month in North Dakota.

This month, North Dakota’s Health and Human Services agency’s Behavioral Health Division wants to raise awareness about programs and services that can 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.