North Dakota Health and Human Services announced that its West Central Human Service Center (WCHSC) and several other offices at its Prairie Hills Plaza location at 1237 W. Divide Ave., in Bismarck, have closed temporarily today, March 7, due to a possible natural gas leak.
HHS team members and clients have evacuated the building, and Montana-Dakota Utilities and the landlord are on site assessing the situation. HHS expects to be able to resume regular operating hours on Wednesday.
The temporary closure affects on-site services only. Team members are notifying people who had scheduled appointments about the closure. Evening group sessions are also canceled.
Case managers and other team members who provide services directly to clients in the community will meet with them as planned. Crisis services continue to be available 24-hours a day.
IMPORTANT: People experiencing a behavioral health crisis should call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for immediate help.
West Central Human Service Center provides behavioral health services focused on chronic disease management and crisis services to residents of Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties.
Other HHS offices also affected by the temporary closure include Adult and Aging Services, Developmental Disabilities, Disability Determination Services and regional Vocational Rehabilitation office.