HHS shares back to school health and well being resources

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North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends some back-to-school health and well-being practices to support strong, stable families and vibrant communities. 

Webinar: Helping Kids Prepare for Back-to-School Stress

August is Teen Mental Health Month, a crucial time to address the challenges many children and teens face as they prepare for the new school year. While some students look forward to reuniting with friends and staff, others may struggle with anxiety and stress. In a webinar hosted by HHS on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 12 to 2 p.m. CT, experts will share valuable insights and practical strategies to support children and youth during this transition. Geared with parents in mind, this webinar is also relevant for educators, child care providers, youth sports coaches and others who interact with school-aged youth. Pre-registration is encouraged for this webinar, which is free and open to the public.

Routine Immunizations

Kids can't do school well if they're out sick. That's why "back to school" well-child visits and making sure children and youth are up to date on routine immunizations is important.

Students in grades K-6 need MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), polio, chickenpox, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) and hepatitis B vaccines. Middle schoolers will need vaccines for meningitis and Tdap. Students going into 11th grade need meningitis boosters. A family's health care provider may suggest other vaccines depending on a child's age and medical history.

Immunizations are an easy way to keep kids healthy. They protect both the person who is immunized and those they interact with.

If children are uninsured or underinsured, the Vaccines for Children program can help pay for vaccines. Immunization exemptions may be filed with a child's school. Learn more at hhs.nd.gov/DoSchoolWell.

Child Care Help

As kids return to school, we want to remind North Dakotans of the child care-related programs we offer. These programs may be able to help pay a portion of a family's child care costs, depending upon eligibility. Learn more at hhs.nd.gov/childcare. 

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps pay a portion of the cost of child care for working families, or families in training or education programs. 

For parents with younger children, the Working Parents Child Care Relief pilot program is a cost-sharing program that provides state funds matched with employer benefits for families with young children up to three years of age.

The Crossroads Program supports young parents (up to age 21) by helping pay a portion of their child care and transportation costs so they can continue their education. 

Help with food

Households can apply for free or reduced-price meals through their child's school. Households do not have to be participating in SNAP, TANF or FDIR to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families (TANF) or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) can get free meals regardless of the household's income.

Households can apply for SNAP and TANF at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp. Households that would like to apply for FDPIR should contact their local Tribal Food Distribution Program.

Mental Health Directory

Transitions, like going back to school, can be challenging for many. The Mental Health Program Directory offers a centralized resource for North Dakota citizens to find mental health services tailored to their needs. This directory allows users to search by location and other details, and provides essential program information, including names, addresses and phone numbers.

Preventive care through ND Medicaid Health Tracks Benefit

Preventive care is important to a child's health. ND Medicaid's Health Tracks benefit covers well-child checks, hearing and vision screenings, immunizations, dental care, behavioral health screenings and other health services for qualifying children and youth through age 20. This care is often free or at a low-cost for families. To schedule an appointment, families should contact their medical provider or local public health unit.  

ND Medicaid now pays for sports physicals for qualifying youth. Families are encouraged to schedule a well-child check and a sports physical together for a complete look at their child's overall health and well-being. 

Parents Lead 

Parents Lead provides various resources to parents, caregivers and professionals who work with children to help support them with both the excitement and overwhelming thoughts of heading back to school.  Resources are available to help guide conversations with your child to help support their behavioral health needs. Whether your child is three months old or about to graduate from college, Parents Lead provides support, resources, tools and tips to parents and caregivers. Find out more at: Parents Lead North Dakota

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