Biographical Information

Carol K. Olson, Executive Director

North Dakota Department of Human Services

Carol K. Olson is the Executive Director of North Dakota's largest agency, the Department of Human Services, which employs about 2,000 people and operates on a biennial budget of $1.9 billion. The department oversees Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (Healthy Steps), Economic Assistance Programs including Child Care Assistance, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program; Child Support Enforcement; Aging Services; Child Welfare Services including Child Protection, Family Preservation Services, Foster Care, and Adoption; Vocational Rehabilitation; Developmental Disabilities Services; Mental Health Services; Substance Abuse Services; and Field Services including the State Hospital, the Developmental Center, and the eight regional human service centers.

Olson has worked in state government in various legislative and executive branch positions for over 20 years. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve as chief of staff in the North Dakota governor's office (1992-97), as well as the first woman to serve as executive director of the North Dakota Department of Human Services (1997 to present).

She has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and has completed course work toward a master's degree in public administration. Olson has two adult children and three grandchildren.

 

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