BISMARCK — North Dakota Health and Human Services will receive $6 million in federal support to expand behavioral health services for children, adolescents and families in north-central and southeastern parts of the state, officials announced Monday.
How the funding is structured
The award comes through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Children’s Mental Health Initiative and is slated to provide $3 million per year over an initial two-year window beginning Sept. 30, 2026, and concluding Sept. 29, 2028. State officials said the project is contingent on continued federal appropriations, though they anticipate work extending through September 2030.
In addition to the new grant, SAMHSA approved a no-cost extension for North Dakota’s existing System of Care grant, allowing ongoing efforts in the Bismarck and Devils Lake regions to continue through Sept. 29, 2027. Together, the awards are intended to strengthen System of Care services across four regions of the state.
Who will be served and where
The new funds are targeted specifically to expand the regional service continuum for children from birth through age 21 who are at risk of, or who have, a serious emotional disturbance, as well as their families. The two primary geographic areas named for the grant are the Minot and Jamestown regions.
| Region | Funding purpose |
|---|---|
| Minot | Expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth and families |
| Jamestown | Expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth and families |
| Bismarck | Continuation of System of Care efforts (existing grant extension) |
| Devils Lake | Continuation of System of Care efforts (existing grant extension) |
Program priorities and service goals
State officials outlined several focus areas for the new grant. Planned priorities include:
- Expanding access to evidence-based treatment services
- Increasing availability of peer-led family supports
- Establishing care coordination for youth engaged with multiple service systems
- Strengthening crisis response services that center youth and families
- Formalizing partnerships across behavioral health, education, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities and healthcare sectors
- Incorporating youth and families with lived experience into program planning and leadership
“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,” Pamela Sagness, HHS executive director of behavioral health, said in a statement.
Practical impact for families and providers
Officials said the grant will support efforts to ensure young people receive appropriate, timely care within their communities rather than relying exclusively on out-of-area services. That includes bolstering family-centered supports and improving coordination when children are involved with multiple systems such as education, child welfare or juvenile justice.
Providers in the Minot and Jamestown regions can expect new resources aimed at delivering evidence-based treatments and expanding peer-led supports. The extension of the existing System of Care grant also means work already underway in Bismarck and Devils Lake can continue without interruption for another year.
Next steps
State Health and Human Services leaders will proceed with planning and implementation activities required by SAMHSA. The project’s continuation beyond the initial two-year period depends on federal funding, but state officials have projected program activity through September 2030 if funding remains available.
Local communities, school districts and behavioral health providers will play central roles in shaping how the funds are used. Officials said they will emphasize partnerships across agencies and incorporate guidance from youth and family members with direct experience of the services.
As the state moves from award to implementation, families and providers seeking more information should monitor guidance from the North Dakota Health and Human Services department for details on service expansions, eligibility and how to access supports in their region.
