North Dakotans invited to March 16 update on USDOJ settlement agreement efforts to expand in-home care options for people with physical disabilities

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota Health and Human Services is inviting residents to a quarterly update and discussion on March 16, 1 – 3 p.m. CDT, on the state’s efforts to make it easier for North Dakotans with physical disabilities to live at home with in-home help and other community support services. The goal is to ensure people have care options and can delay or avoid nursing home care if they choose.

Between December 2020 and December 2022, the department’s Adult and Aging Services Section team and their community partners were able to help 581 North Dakotans avoid placement in a nursing home connecting them to in-home and community-based services. During those two years, they also helped 212 individuals transitions from nursing homes back to community living.

Interest in alternatives remains high. Last year, the department’s Aging and Disability Resource Link received 14,255 calls seeking information about in-home and other local support services.

HHS would like to serve more people at home in their communities and will discuss family caregiver support, paid caregiving options for families and others, provider reimbursement and other possible solutions to caregiver workforce and affordable, accessible housing challenges.

Individuals can attend the stakeholder meeting in-person or virtually by phone or device. The in-person meeting will take place at HHS Prairie Hills Plaza offices at 1237 W. Divide Ave., Suite 6, in Bismarck. Attendees should enter through door No. 2.

Stakeholders who prefer to participate in the meeting virtually using computers, mobile devices or telephone can find details in the March 16 meeting notice at hhs.nd.gov/news/publicnotice.

The agenda for the public meeting includes updates on the legislative session, data on transitions to community living and other outcomes, qualified service provider (caregiver) recruitment, new Connect to Care platform, and highlights from the state’s most recent six-month report to federal partners on its U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) Settlement Agreement implementation. The Money Follows the Person program will brief attendees on requests for supplemental services for individuals.

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to participate in the stakeholder meeting can contact Michele Curtis at 701-328-8679, 711 (TTY) or mimcurtis@nd.gov

To find help with housecleaning, meal preparation, nonmedical transportation, personal care needs and other in-home and community-based services and support, North Dakotans can contact the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Link toll-free at 855-462-5465, 711 (TTY) or by email at carechoice@nd.gov. Individuals can also apply online for services at https://carechoice.nd.assistguide.net/.

In December 2020, North Dakota entered into an eight-year settlement agreement with USDOJ that is designed to ensure the state meets the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing services, programs and activities for individuals with physical disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Learn more at www.hhs.nd.gov/us-department-justice-settlement-agreement.

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