Family First Prevention Services Act Stakeholder Information
In October 2019, North Dakota became one of the first 11 states to implement the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018. The new federal law prioritizes keeping families together and providing evidence-based prevention and early intervention services and programs to prevent children from entering foster care.
Prior to implementation, North Dakota held informational meetings with stakeholders, held training for providers, public agencies and other partners, created rules and policy, and completed program planning. Details appear below. See the implementation announcement press release HERE.
Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Information
- Policy
- Questions & Answers
- Quick Reference - Procedure for Admissions (Revised April 23, 2020)
- List of North Dakota QRTPs
2019 Meetings
The North Dakota Department of Human Services held monthly informational meetings in 2019 on the Family First Prevention Services Act (PL 115-123) to provide implementation updates to stakeholders and to give them an opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions.
Meetings were held on-site at the State Capitol, and a conference call line was also available for those unable to attend in person. Stakholders were able to submit questions in advance to dhscfs@nd.gov.
Date |
Meeting Topic |
Meeting Resources |
| January 16 | Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Qualified Individual | Meeting highlights, Q and A |
| February 20 | Kinship Navigator and Prevention | Meeting highlights, Q and A |
| March 20 | North Dakota Administrative Code updates (Qualified Residential Treatment Program, Supervised Independent Living and Family Foster) | Meeting highlights, Q and A |
| April 17 | Legislative update on children's behavioral health efforts | Behavioral Health Matrix - 2019 Legislative Session Behavioral Health Bills |
| May 15 | Meeting Canceled | |
| June 19 | Meeting Canceled | |
| July 17 | North Dakota Administrative Code comments and Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) capacity | Meeting highlights, Q and A |
| August 21 | Qualified Individual Process for Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) placement | |
| September 18 | Foster care candidacy and prevention plan updates | |
| October 16 | Review of Family First Prevention Services Act implementation |
Family First Prevention Services Act (PL 115-123) Implementation Progress |
| November 20 | MEETING CANCELED | |
| December 18 |
Resources
- Family First Prevention Services Act Highlights (505kb pdf)
- Family First Prevention Services Act Legislation
- Federal Guidance - April 2018 (1.34mb pdf)
- Federal Guidance - May 2018 (214kb pdf)
- Federal Guidance - July 2018 (1.24mb pdf)
- Federal Guidance - November 2018 (956kb pdf)
- Federal Update to States - October 2018 (154kb pdf)
- Monthly Stakeholder Meeting Invitation (104kb pdf)
Resources from Nov. 15, 2018 Informational Meeting
The North Dakota Department of Human Services held an informational meeting on Nov. 15, 2018, on the Family First Prevention Services Act. Below are resources from the meeting.
Presentation Recordings
- Morning session (10 a.m. to Noon) (Go 15 minutes into clip)
- Afternoon session (1 to 3:30) (Audio starts 5 minutes into clip)
Meeting Resources
Contact Information
Children and Family Services
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Department 325
Bismarck ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2316
Toll Free: (800) 245-3736
Relay ND TTY: 711
Fax: (701) 328-3538
Email: dhscfs@nd.gov
Top of page 
Back to previous page
