Maternal Child Health Block Grant Application Available for Public Review and Comment
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has completed the state’s application for Federal Title V Block Grant funds to support maternal and child health goals in North Dakota for the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2026, and ending Sept. 30, 2027. The application is now available for public comment through July 10, 2026.
The application outlines North Dakota’s plan to provide:
- Preventive and primary care services for pregnant women, mothers and infants up to age 1.
- Preventive and primary care services for children and adolescents.
- Family-centered, community-based, coordinated care and the development of community-based systems of services for children with special healthcare needs and their families.
Information about Title V planned activities is available online for public review and comment at hhs.nd.gov/north-dakota-mch-plan-documents. Copies are available upon request.
As part of the application process, a statewide needs assessment was conducted to identify service gaps, barriers and emerging needs related to the health and well-being of women, children and families. Through this assessment, five priority goals based on national performance measures were identified:
- Identify, reduce or eliminate barriers preventing women from receiving recommended postpartum care, including mental health screening, breastfeeding support and care coordination.
- Support services, programs and activities that encourage safe sleep for infants.
- Improve access to healthy food options through community resources such as schools, food banks and local public health units, while strengthening care coordination to link the maternal and child health population to essential services.
- Identify, reduce or eliminate barriers preventing adolescents from receiving mental health treatment and counseling.
- Improve the system of care for children with special healthcare needs.
In addition to these five priority goals, HHS Title V staff participate in North Dakota’s progress on three crosscutting state priority measures that include a range of health indicators. Goals for these state priorities include:
- Reducing serious motor vehicle injuries and fatalities among North Dakotans younger than 21.
- Implementing all North Dakota state mandates delegated to the HHS Title V Maternal and Child Health Programs.
- Increasing awareness and utilization of statewide services and resources.
People can submit comments by email, phone or mail to krhruby@nd.gov, (701) 328-4854, 711 (TTY), or North Dakota Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Attn: Kimberly Hruby, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND, 58505-0250.