News

North Dakota State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and North Dakota Health and Human Services Commissioner Chris Jones announced that about 45,000 North Dakota children will be able to receive food assistance this summer.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer, or P-EBT for short, will benefit two different groups: children ages 0-5 whose households receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, and school-age children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is encouraging the public to take steps to protect against hantavirus disease. As the weather begins to warm, many people will be cleaning cabins, sheds and other outdoor buildings that have been closed for the winter. These are places that exposure to hantavirus is more likely to occur.  

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends people take precautions against ticks and the diseases they carry.

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.

As another school year wraps up and families are planning for summer, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is reminding parents and caregivers to make sure their children are current on immunizations. Many pediatric and family practice clinics throughout the state are already booking wellness and physical activity appointments into the next few months. Making an appointment now ensures that your child is ready for the upcoming school year.

An estimated 21,000 North Dakotans are affected by blindness or have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses.*1

North Dakota Health and Human Services will host a 30-minute lunch and learn program on Thursday, May 18, from 12 to 12:30 p.m. CDT, to share information about vision services that can help older adults affected by blindness and serious vision loss remain independent. People can participate online or by telephone.

Income eligibility guidelines for the North Dakota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) have increased based on changes in the federal poverty levels.  The change increases the amount of income a family can make and still qualify for services. Effective May 1, 2023, a family of four can earn up to $4,625 each month (or $55,500 annually) and meet the new WIC income eligibility requirements. 

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, will be closed on Monday, May 15, due to water main repair work.

With the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency today, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds North Dakotans about health priorities, early intervention and prevention, and the programs and services that are available to support health and well-being.  

National Prevention Week is May 7-13. North Dakota Health and Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division, along with community partners, is raising awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health and resources that are available to all North Dakotans.