News

Many North Dakotans may have plans this Independence Day holiday to enjoy the summer weather with picnics, recreational activities, fireworks and other activities.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) offers some helpful tips and reminders for North Dakotans who may be celebrating our nation’s independence this weekend through the fourth of July.

As summer heats up, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds residents that cooling assistance is available to qualifying households to help with the cost of purchasing or repairing air conditioners and other cooling devices.  

To participate, households must qualify financially for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also known as heating assistance, which serves households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income.  

North Dakota’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee will hold a listening session from noon to 2 p.m. CT Thursday, June 29, to gather thoughts and ideas on how to impact the state’s system of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services targeting opioid misuse and addiction. 

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is hosting virtual 30-minute lunch and learn programs over the noon hour to inform individuals about services that support the health and well-being of North Dakotans as they age. 

On June 22, North Dakotans can learn about an online resource for in-home support service providers called the Qualified Service Provider (QSP) Hub, and on June 29, they can learn about Social Security online services. 

Communities around the globe, including North Dakota, recognize June as Men’s Health Month, an annual observance dedicated to education and activities promoting the health and wellness of men and boys. This year also marks the 29th anniversary of the establishment of National Men’s Health Week, which is being celebrated June 12-18 this year as part of the larger awareness campaign of Men’s Health Month.

This June, during national Reunification Month, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing parents, relatives, partner agencies and service providers for their efforts to reunify children with families. In 2022, 460 North Dakota children were able to leave foster care and safely reunify with their parents or guardians. Other children informally living with family and friends are also reunified with their parents each year. 

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that Medicaid strategist and policy expert Sarah Aker has been selected to lead its Medical Services Division, which administers Medicaid services, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), autism services and other related health services that benefit North Dakotans. 

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is urging North Dakotans who receive ND Medicaid renewal forms, also known as review forms, to complete and return them to a human service zone office within 30 days to ensure continued coverage, if they still qualify.  

On May 31, about 13,100 ND Medicaid members were due for a renewal and only about one in three members who were sent a renewal form returned it, which means 4,421 people were disenrolled on May 31 even though many may still qualify for coverage.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Medical Services Division is seeking public comment on an amendment of its Medicaid 1915(c) waiver for medically fragile children. The waiver allows Medicaid to pay for services for children ages three to 18 who are medically fragile. The goal of this waiver is to provide services that assist families in keeping their children home instead of having to place them in a nursing facility or hospital to receive needed care. 

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages North Dakotans to have a safe and healthy Memorial Day weekend. With a focus on prevention, health and well-being, we encourage the public to review some summer safety information and learn more about other seasonal health and well-being resources as we head into the warmer months.