North Dakota Invests In Family Well-being With $400,000 Grant

North Dakota Health and Human Services is making $400,000 in grant funding available to expand family support services across the state, with an emphasis on early intervention and keeping children safely in their homes.

The funding, provided through the FamilyFirst Services Training and Implementation Grant, is aimed at helping agencies and professionals train for and deliver evidence-based prevention programs focused on behavioral health and in-home parenting support.

State officials said the effort is designed to strengthen families before crises occur.

“When we address family needs early, we strengthen family well-being, which can prevent crises and help keep families together safely,” said Children and Family Services Director Chelsea Flory.

Communities such as Williston stand to benefit as local providers seek funding to bring or expand services in western North Dakota, where access to family support programs can be limited by distance and workforce shortages.

Nine approved programs are eligible under the grant, including Family Check-Up, Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers and Nurse-Family Partnership, along with intensive interventions such as Multisystemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy.

To qualify, providers must commit to completing training and offering at least one approved service in a North Dakota community. Funding is structured to offset training and startup costs, with awards capped at $17,000 for one staff member, $34,000 for two staff, and up to $50,000 for larger teams.

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Applications are open now and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through March 1, 2027, or until funding is fully distributed.