North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has been awarded a new $6 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth and families in north central and southeastern North Dakota.
The funding, awarded through SAMHSA's Children's Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), will support the expansion of regional service continuums for children, adolescents, and young adults (birth through age 21) at risk or with a serious emotional disturbance (SED) and their families. The funding is specifically for the Minot and Jamestown regions of the state. The grant provides $3 million annually, with an initial two-year award totaling $6 million from Sept. 30, 2026, through Sept. 29, 2028. The project is expected to continue through September 2030, contingent on federal funding availability.
In addition, SAMHSA approved a no-cost extension of North Dakota's current System of Care (SOC) grant through Sept. 29, 2027, allowing work to continue in the Bismarck and Devils Lake regions. Together, the grants will expand the System of Care efforts across four regions of the state.
"This investment allows us to build on the strong partnerships we've established and expand access to behavioral health services for children and families in more communities across North Dakota," said HHS Executive Director of Behavioral Health Pamela Sagness. "Our goal is to ensure children and youth receive the right services at the right time, close to home, while strengthening the supports families need to help their children thrive."
SAMHSA's Children's Mental Health Initiative supports states in developing a comprehensive system of care for children, youth and families. The system of care approach emphasizes family- and youth-driven services, community-based care, strong partnerships among agencies and providers, and a full continuum of behavioral health services ranging from early intervention to crisis response. The goal is to help children and families access coordinated, high-quality care that supports success at home, in school and in their communities.
The new grant will focus on:
Expanding access to evidence-based treatment including services.
Increasing access to peer-led family supports.
Establishing care coordination for youth with behavioral health needs who are involved in multiple service systems.
Strengthening youth- and family-focused crisis response services aligned with mobile response and stabilization services (MRSS) best practices.
- Formalizing partnerships across behavioral health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, healthcare and family-run organizations.
- Ensuring youth and families with lived experience help guide care planning, service delivery and program leadership.
“For our behavioral health clinics, this funding represents an opportunity to deepen our partnerships within the communities we serve” said Clinical Director Daniel Cramer, PhD. “By working alongside schools, healthcare providers, family organizations, and other local partners, we can better coordinate care, reduce barriers for families and ensure children receive the right services at the right time.”
North Dakota first launched its System of Care initiative in 2022 after receiving a four-year SAMHSA grant to improve behavioral health outcomes for children and youth. Since then, HHS has worked with public and private partners to expand community-based services, strengthen family engagement and develop sustainable regional partnerships that improve access to care.
For more information about North Dakota's System of Care initiative, visit hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/system-of-care.