Donna Aukland

The meeting focused on proposed early childhood law changes intended to reduce administrative burdens and support increased child care availability, contingent upon legislative session outcomes. Key proposals discussed included decoupling provider training from license requirements to ensure proper credit for completed staff training and removing the renewal blackout period. Another major topic was the streamlining of license types from eight to four, consolidating Child Care Center, Family Child Care, Self-Declaration, and In-Home Provider categories to reduce administrative efforts and system complexity. Member discussions also covered methods to elevate the public recognition of family child care providers, challenges regarding staff credentialing and formalized training for director and school age positions, and the definition of when underage staff may be left alone. The board expressed support for the proposed law changes.

This report from North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) outlines strategies and opportunities for improving antimicrobial prescribing, optimizing patient safety, and preventing the emergence of antibiotic resistance. It provides a comprehensive analysis of antibiotic use data across outpatient settings (utilizing IQVIA, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid data), hospital administrations (via NHSN's AU Option and SAAR values), and evaluates the implementation of core antibiotic stewardship elements in nursing homes and hospitals. The document identifies specific areas for stewardship growth at both state and facility levels, focusing on enhancing technical assistance, targeted education for high-volume prescribers, improved data collection, public awareness campaigns, and fostering collaboration to sustain progress and further optimize antibiotic use across all care settings in North Dakota.

The meeting agenda included a welcome and call to order, followed by roll call and approval of previous minutes (October 19, 2022) and the current agenda. Key discussion items involved an update on the election results for the Executive Committee and the slate of 2023 meeting dates. The council planned to address a Farm/Ranch Stress Behavioral Health Approach, review a summary report on the ND Behavioral Health Strategic Plan, and discuss the BHPC's intersection with the ND Children's Cabinet. Other topics included an overview of Youth Support Services (Certified Shelters, Respite, Shelter Care, Kinship ND), updates on 1915(i) Provider Status & Clients Served, and the North Dakota Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program. The agenda also reserved time for an IMD 1115 Discussion and Recommendation, a Behavioral Health Division DHHS Report, and reports from various External Connecting Points & BHPC Work Groups such as the Autism Task Force and Seclusion & Restraint Work Group.

This document details the 2026 annual progress and services related to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services' 2025-2029 Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP). The CFSP aims to empower families and improve child safety, permanency, and well-being. It focuses on key areas including protecting children from abuse and neglect, maintaining safe home environments, ensuring stable permanency and family connections, and providing appropriate educational, physical, and mental health services. The plan also addresses systemic improvements in information management, case review processes, quality assurance, and staff training.

This strategic plan outlines the North Dakota Department of Human Services' approach to implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). It details a monumental shift in federal funding from deep-end services to preventative measures, aiming to strengthen families and protect children. The plan prioritizes investing in evidence-based community-based family support, child maltreatment prevention, and interventions for emotional/behavioral disorders, while reallocating resources from ineffective to research-based practices. Key initiatives include supporting kinship placements, developing kinship navigator programs, revising foster care licensing standards, and transitioning from congregate care to family-based settings and Qualified Residential Treatment Programs. The implementation timeline spans from early 2018 through full implementation by October 2019, encompassing legislative actions, stakeholder engagement, and policy development.