The goal of Family and School Engagement is to provide resources and support to parents, providers, and stakeholders. Our programs include Head Start Collaboration Office, Early interventions for children with disabilities (619 B and Part C), Childcare assistance for income eligible households, Inclusion Grant opportunities, Waterford UpStart, and Four-Year Old Program Approval.
Head Start and Early Head Start are child development programs, serving children from birth to age five, expectant mothers and families. The overall goal of Head Start is to increase the social ability of children in low-income families and children with disabilities and improve the chances of success in school.
North Dakota Century Code 15.1-09-58 requires a collaborative effort between the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve local school districts’ Four-Year Old Programs.
Waterford Upstart is an at-home early learning program that gives you the tools, coaching, and resources so you can put your child on a path to academic success.
Every child in your care deserves to be respected, valued, and included but we all need a little help sometimes. USpireND is contracted by HHS to provide inclusion support and coaching to child care providers.
Early Childhood Special Education
Early Childhood Special Education (Part B-619) serves children, ages three to 5 (kindergarten entrance), who meet criteria established by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) as needing specially designed instruction because of a disability Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For more information about the eligibility under IDEA, visit the NDDPI Special Education website: Special Education (nd.gov). Early Childhood Special Education professionals can find updated, annual learning opportunities on the ND Educational Hub. Sign up for free access to a variety of self-paced trainings.
Policy Paper
Early Childhood Transition
Early Childhood Educational Environments
ND Early Childhood Outcomes Process
- ND Early Childhood Outcomes Process Guide
- ND Early Childhood Outcomes Project Brochure
- Decision Tree for Summary Rating Discussions
- ND Early Childhood Outcomes Process Age Expectation Milestones
- Indicator 7 Data Talking Points - January 2013
- ND Early Childhood Outcomes Process Anchor Tool List
- ND Early Childhood Outcomes Video Training
Questions? Contact Us
Early Childhood
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Relay ND TTY: 711
Email: dhsec@nd.gov