ND Health and Human Services

Join us for the Family Day Festival tomorrow at the North Dakota State Fair. Stop at our booth under the festival tent (location #21 on the map) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn about ND Medicaid Health Tracks well-child checks and talk with our member liaison about getting involved in our Medicaid Member Engagement Committee. We’ll see you there.

Visit hhs.nd.gov/healthcare/medicaid/health-tracks or hhs.nd.gov/medicaid-member-engagement/committee

Parents: Make sure your child is healthy both in the classroom and in the game. Get their ND Medicaid Health Tracks well-child check and sports physical done at the SAME TIME! Schedule an appointment with your provider. Learn more: hhs.nd.gov/health-tracks.

This boating season, teach your kids that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool.

Make them aware of uneven surfaces, river currents and changing weather. Teach them not to dive into open water, because you never know how deep the water is or what may be hidden under the surface.

Join us on Tuesday, July 23 at 12 PM CT for this month's Lunch and Learn, Housing is Health Care.

Discussion will include ways housing improves health outcomes, statistics on people living with homelessness and more. HHS also has housing services available to support those struggling with housing finances.

The Lunch and Learn can be watched at: https://bit.ly/ceu_housingishealth. More about HHS housing services can be found at www.hhs.nd.gov/housing-programs

Firing up the grill this summer? Prevent food poisoning by using a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked hot enough to kill harmful germs.

Learn more food safety tips at www.cdc.gov/food-safety/prevention/index.html

Join us at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot from July 19-27! Visit our booth in the Commercial II Building from 10 am to 9 pm CT every day.

- Learn about Parents Lead, an evidenced-based program offering tools and resources to support children's behavioral health.

- Make memories at our photo booth and enjoy other family-friendly interactive activities.

- Free Narcan (naloxone) and training, plus other behavioral health resources.

For more information, visit hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health.

News Release: https://hhsnd.site/3h2

Two years ago, on July 16, 2022, the 988 Lifeline was launched to provide an easy-to-remember, three-digit number for anyone in crisis. This lifeline has been a crucial resource, offering support and hope to countless individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges.

If you or someone you know is in need, help is just a call, text or chat away.

Learn more: hhs.nd.gov/988

We are excited to announce Jasmin Child Care and Preschool in Fargo as the first recipient of the Non-Traditional Hour Child Care pilot grant!

HHS Commissioner Wayne Salter joined Jasmin Child Care and Preschool Vice President Muhamad Hussein and the program's team, local partners and legislative members to celebrate this new public-private partnership supporting our state's critical child care needs.

Learn more about this new program at hhs.nd.gov/non-traditional-hour-child-care-pilot.

Hey parents: HHS is excited to announce a new program, Summer EBT or SUN Bucks! Through this program, eligible families will receive $120 per child to help feed them during the summer months. So far 32,000 children have been automatically enrolled, but more may qualify.

Find out if your child is eligible for this benefit at https://hhsnd.site/f3ae28.

Support your recovery this summer… Build healthy habits
Continue to focus your efforts on healthy eating, exercise, getting enough sleep and coping skills to manage stress.

With Recovery Talk, you can text or talk to a trained peer support specialist with lived experience, ready to listen and offer hope, encouragement and compassion anytime – day or night. Call 701-291-7901. Learn more: hhs.nd.gov/recoverytalk

Behavioral Health Division

This July, enhance your expertise and knowledge with targeted trainings. The North Dakota Department of Human Services Behavioral Health Division has curated a selection of valuable resources covering topics such as mental health awareness, counseling techniques, and evidence-based practices.

Access the trainings here: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/news/behavioral-health-trainings

Stay informed, stay effective!

Hey, parents: Did you know you may be eligible for help with child care costs through the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)? Apply today! To make applying easier, we've created an easy-to-follow application checklist. Find it at hhs.nd.gov/ccap

ND Medicaid members: A new member e-newsletter is out! It’s filled with topics on self-care, behavioral health supports, sun safety, oral health prevention and more!
hhs.nd.gov/medicaid-member-engagement/news

Also, sign up to get the e-newsletter sent to your email and read past editions.

HHS marks a significant milestone this month as it commemorates the upcoming two-year anniversary of the rollout of the 988 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline. Partnering with FirstLink, North Dakota continues to expand access to critical mental health and crisis intervention services statewide. Learn more at https://hhsnd.site/y49

Support your recovery this summer… Buddy up.
Bring a friend or support person who will encourage your recovery with you at events and activities.

With Recovery Talk, you can text or talk to a trained peer support specialist with lived experience, ready to listen and offer hope, encouragement and compassion anytime – day or night. Call 701-291-7901. Learn more: hhs.nd.gov/recoverytalk

The first human case of West Nile virus of the season in North Dakota has been confirmed in Morton County.

For reminders on how to avoid mosquito bites to protect yourself from West Nile virus, visit https://hhsnd.site/c31ed9

Great news: HHS is rolling out new enhancements to North Dakota's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) this month!

Highlights include reduced co-pays, an increase in the maximum amount CCAP will pay a child care provider for services, and bonuses for infant and toddler care. Plus, we've launched a new co-pay calculator for parents!

Learn more about these updates and how they benefit both parents and providers at https://hhsnd.site/gju

Support your recovery this summer… Prioritize self-care.
It’s okay to decline situations or activities that feel overwhelming, stressful or threaten your recovery.

With Recovery Talk, you can text or talk to a trained peer support specialist with lived experience, ready to listen and offer hope, encouragement and compassion anytime – day or night. Call 701-291-7901.

Learn more: hhs.nd.gov/recoverytalk

Behavioral Health Division

Need Help Staying Cool? Get assistance for your home’s A.C. repairs. See if you qualify. Visit hhs.nd.gov/liheap

We are awarding matching Statewide Health Strategies Grant funding for 23 projects across the state that support key State Health Improvement Plan priorities and our goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation. Learn more at: https://hhsnd.site/ij6

Meet Kevin. See how he overcame adversity with support from the Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton.

Wearing a cap and gown was something Kevin Patterson and his family thought would never happen.

For most of his life, Kevin has been nonverbal and struggled with inappropriate and destructive behaviors that made it difficult for him to be in community settings including school.

“Kevin’s family put everything they could into their son, but there came a point when they needed extra help,” said Chauncy Smith, director of residential services at the Life Skills and Transition Center (LSTC).

That help came from a specialized team from LSTC trained to support people with disabilities whose needs exceed community resources.

Small steps have lasting impact
Together, they created a routine to give him stability and taught him social skills and coping strategies. They also had to learn how to communicate using gestures and facial expressions.

It was the one-on-one support, a trusting relationship and a partnership with the Grafton Public Schools that transformed Kevin’s learning experience.

At first, he spent about 40 minutes each day in class with his peers and then returned to the LSTC on-campus school because it was too overwhelming for him.

This year, he spent most of his day at public school and returned to LSTC only for the last hour of the school day to do physical activities.

“He worked hard to make this happen,” Chauncy said. “He’s a very capable young man.”

Kevin applied this determination to other parts of his life.

He is now able to go to the movies, shop at local stores, do his own cleaning, help with his laundry and complete other tasks.

“There's a lot of things that he does now that none of us thought he would be able to do,” Chauncy said. “We’re really proud of where he is at.”

Next on the horizon
Kevin will continue to receive services at the LSTC and attend vocational training with the goal of one day moving closer to home.

Because of the LSTC team, Kevin’s parents, Rebecca and David, have a new outlook on life.

“I still remember the day we went there. We were nervous because we cared for him 24/7 for years,” Rebecca said. “After our intake meeting, we knew Kevin would be safe and it would be a good experience for him.”

Now, they look forward to their daily phone calls and their in-person visits with Kevin and his support team at LSTC whom they consider extended family.

Did you know you can submit documents for HHS financial help programs online? Save time and upload them in the Self-Service Portal! Get started at applyforhelp.nd.gov.

Looking for help with the process? Step-by-step instructions are available on our website.

We are closed, July 4. We wish you all a safe and healthy Independence Day!