News

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing May as Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to highlight the resilience of children involved in the state’s foster care system and the dedication of those who support them. Read the Foster Care Awareness Month proclamation.

On any given day, about 1,050 children are in foster care in North Dakota. More than 700 licensed foster care providers and nearly 200 relative caregivers open their homes to provide stability and support for children until reunification or another permanent plan can be achieved.

In response to the federal government shutdown, North Dakota Health and Human Services issued a statement today in regards to the status of mandatory entitlement programs it administers.

Each October, Foster Youth Voice Month is observed nationwide to amplify the voices of young people with foster care experience. This month, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) highlights the importance of giving older children in foster care a say in decisions about their lives and driving positive change in the child welfare system.

Child welfare and behavioral health professionals, educators and others who work with children and families to promote strong, stable families will benefit from attending the 2024 North Dakota Family Based Services Conference, April 9-12, at the Holiday Inn of Fargo.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Children and Family Services initiated an adoption streamlining effort this month to ensure a more timely and safe adoption process for children in foster care who have a permanency goal that includes adoption.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages North Dakotans to commemorate the more than 1,450 youth involved in the state’s foster care system, and nearly 300 young adults who are currently engaged in North Dakota independent living services during Foster Youth Voice Month. 

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting the public to comment on the state's application for Federal Title V Block Grant funds that support preventive and primary care health services for women and children for the next federal fiscal year (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30, 2024). 

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, providers and other interested stakeholders are invited to provide public comments on the proposed renewal of the Medicaid autism spectrum disorder waiver.  

The waiver provides services to eligible children and supports parents in their efforts to maximize their child’s development, while also preventing out-of-home placements. 

On any given day, North Dakota’s foster care system supports about 1,450 children, providing temporary care to keep children safe while local supports and services are put in place to help stabilize families and work toward reuniting them.

This May during National Foster Care Month, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing family caregivers, foster care providers, and others involved in child welfare services, and reminds North Dakotans about ways they can support children and families.