North Dakota Mental Health Planning Council (NDMHPC)
North Dakota Mental Health Block Grant
- States are required to submit yearly applications to receive federal block grant funds. The Mental Health Block Grant program is administered by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is an agency of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- The objective of block grant planning, in general, is to support the State creation and expansion of comprehensive, community-based systems of care for adults with serious mental illness and children with severe emotional disturbance.
- The goal of the Mental Health Block Grant program is to help individuals with serious mental illnesses lead independent and productive lives.
- The block grant program has served as an impetus in promoting and encouraging states to reduce the number of people receiving care in state psychiatric hospitals and to develop community-based systems of care.
Introduction
The CMHS Block Grant application format provides the means for States to comply with the reporting provisions of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 300x-21-64), as implemented by the Interim Final Rule and the Tobacco Regulation for the SAPT Block Grant ( 45 CFR Part 96, parts XI and IV, respectively).
Executive Summary
1. North Dakota's Current Public Mental Health System
The North Dakota Department of Human Services provides and administers comprehensive human services and economic assistance on behalf of individuals and families in North Dakota. The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division and the eight regional human service centers coordinate the development and actual provision of public community-based mental health services. The Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services performs many functions in the planning, development, and implementation of the community-based mental health care delivery system including: planning and research grant writing, licensing of psychiatric residential treatment facilities, and education. The regional human service centers serve consumers in the community through a linked spectrum of services including: crisis stabilization and resolution, inpatient and outpatient services, psychiatric/medical management, social services, residential services and supports, vocational and educational services and supported employment, and social and leisure activities. In addition, the North Dakota State Hospital provides care to individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues consisting of physical, medical, psychological, rehabilitative, social, recreational, and spiritual services. The only such public state hospital in North Dakota, it is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations and is also Medicare certified.
2. State Plan on Mental Health
Through the collaborative efforts of the Department, the Planning Council, consumers and family members, private providers, consumer advocate groups, tribal representatives, and many other mental health stakeholders, the community-based mental health delivery system continues to grow and thrive. Some of the plans for the upcoming year include:
Consensus building, training, and/or pilot programs concerning evidence-based practices:
- Continuation of the Children's Mental Health System of Care
- Implement education targeted to the natural caregivers (phase two)
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