Overview
North Dakota’s Department of Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division has been awarded a four-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) System of Care (SOC) Expansion and Sustainability Grant to enhance mental health outcomes for children and youth. North Dakota will receive $3 million per year starting September 30, 2022 through September 30, 2026. The SOC grant is designed to enhance mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21.
The purpose of the grant is to build and expand community-based behavioral health services and supports for children and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) and their families. These services and supports include:
- Outpatient services
- 24-hour crisis emergency services
- Intensive home-based outreach and case management
- Intensive day treatment
- Respite care
- Recovery support services
- Transition services from child/youth to adult service system
What is the System of Care Framework?
System of Care is a spectrum of effective, community-based services and supports for children, youth, and young adults with or at-risk for mental health challenges and their families. The primary goal is to help families function better at home, in school, and in the community. The services and supports aim to:
- Be organized into a coordinated network across the continuum of care.
- Build meaningful partnerships with youth and families.
- Address the unique and cultural and linguistic needs of each child and family.
The dimensions of System of Care include the integration of all child-serving services and supports. These include both professional and natural supports across the lifespan.
Goals
The Behavioral Health Division has two key goals for the SOC Grant:
- To increase access to high-quality and culturally appropriate services and supports for children with SED and their families in the identified regions.
- To develop a sustainable infrastructure to support the System of Care approach for North Dakota children with SED and their families.
August 2022
Notice of Award received
September 30, 2022
Project & Funding start date
December 2022
Enter into contract with Evaluator to complete Needs Assessment
January 2023
Hire Key Personnel (Clinical Administrator & Lead Family Administrator)
January-March 2023
Conduct Needs Assessment in two regions
February 3, 2023
SOC Kickoff Event (watch video)
March 2023
Identify and facilitate regional steering committees
Launched National Outcome Measures (NOMS) at West Central Human Service Center (WCHSC)
Completed the SOC Needs Assessment
April 2023
Convened two regional steering committees (ongoing; meeting monthly)
June 2023
Launched National Outcome Measures (NOMS) at Lake Region Human Service Center (LRHSC)
The grant will initially focus on two regions. The Division is partnering with both public and private providers in 10 counties served by the West Central Human Service Center in Bismarck and six counties served by the Lake Region Human Service Center in Devils Lake. These counties include:
- Benson
- Burleigh
- Cavalier
- Eddy
- Emmons
- Grant
- Kidder
- McLean
- Mercer
- Morton
- Oliver
- Ramsey
- Rolette
- Sheridan
- Sioux
- Towner
- Four tribal nations:
- The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Spirit Lake Nation
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
- Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation.
The System of Care team is partnering with state-wide and regional publicly funded agencies, private agencies, schools, advocacy groups, and children, youth, and families for infrastructure development and service implementation.
We are receiving technical assistance, training, and guidance from National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC).
For more information about North Dakota efforts and the System of Care Framework, please visit these resources:
- North Dakota System of Care Launch (video)
- North Dakota System of Care Press Release
- Needs Assessment (April 2023)
- 2018 Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) Behavioral Health System Study
- 2023 Behavioral Health Data Book
- The Evolution of System of Care Approach (2021)
- Texas System of Care Toolkit
Citation:
Stroul, B.A., Blau, G.M., & Larsen, J. (2021). The Evolution of the System of Care Approach. Baltimore: The Institute for Innovation and Implementation, School of Social Work, University of Maryland.
Connect with Us
The reform of North Dakota children’s behavioral health system will require strong interagency partnerships and connections with children, youth, young adults, and their families most impacted by System of Care efforts. Please reach out to connect with a System of Care team member:
Katie Houle
Clinical Administrator
khoule@nd.gov