Pamela Sagness Executive Director, Behavioral Health | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Pamela Sagness Executive Director, Behavioral Health | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has concluded its five-year needs assessment to identify priorities for maternal and child health services. The state is seeking public input on these draft priorities until April 4, 2025. These activities will commence on October 1, 2025, and continue through September 30, 2030.
The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funds preventive and primary care health services for women and children through a federal-state partnership. This collaboration aims to address priority needs identified via comprehensive assessments.
The newly identified priorities include efforts to eliminate barriers that prevent women from accessing recommended postpartum care. This includes mental health screening, breastfeeding support, care coordination, and other supportive measures. Another focus is using statewide resources to promote infant safe sleep practices.
Additionally, HHS plans to expand partnerships with community resources such as schools and food banks to improve access to healthy food options. There is also an emphasis on improving care coordination for pediatric populations to ensure they receive essential services.
For adolescents, the goal is to remove obstacles preventing them from obtaining mental health treatment and counseling. Lastly, enhancing the system of care for children with special health needs is a key priority.
Details on the draft priorities are available at hhs.nd.gov/nd-mch-priorities or can be requested directly from HHS.
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