HHS invites North Dakotans to participate in DOJ settlement agreement stakeholder meeting on expanding in-home support services

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) invites residents to a quarterly update about 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 on Thursday, Sept. 19, 1-3 p.m. CT in Bismarck or virtually.

The meeting will highlight HHS' efforts to improve the quality of life for North Dakotans by ensuring people have care options and can delay or avoid nursing home care if they choose. The agenda includes an update on in-home and community-based services, new tools and resources for qualified service providers, nursing facility presentations, Mainstream vouchers and more.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their thoughts on what existing community resources to assist individuals with disabilities are being underutilized and what barriers to community living need to be addressed.

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

Those who prefer to participate in the meeting virtually using computers, mobile devices or telephone can find details in the Sept. 19 meeting notice at hhs.nd.gov/news/publicnotice.

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to participate in the stakeholder meeting can contact Shelly Selzler at (701) 328-8679, 711 (TTY) or [email protected].

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 [email protected]. Individuals can also apply online for services at carechoice.nd.assistguide.net.

In December 2020, North Dakota entered into an eight-year settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) 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 hhs.nd.gov/us-department-justice-settlement-agreement.