Central ND News

The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) conducted a Parent and Caregiver Peer Support Training from April 1 to April 3. This initiative aimed at equipping 23 participants with the necessary skills to support families dealing with behavioral health issues in children.

This training represents a significant advancement in expanding peer support services across the state. Supported by North Dakota’s System of Care grant, the initiative seeks to provide more resources for families facing behavioral health challenges. A federal System of Care Expansion and Sustainability Grant awarded in 2022 to HHS is designed to improve mental health outcomes for children and youth.

As part of this effort, HHS is introducing new parent and caregiver peer support specialist roles at regional Human Service Centers, which serve as behavioral health clinics. This move will improve access to peer-led family support. Additionally, other organizations throughout the state are also hiring parent peer supporters, further expanding these essential services.

“Parents and caregivers play a vital role in a child’s behavioral health journey, and peer supports are uniquely qualified to engage and partner with families,” said Katie Houle, clinical administrator, System of Care. “This training is an important step in building a stronger, family-driven system of care across North Dakota.”

Participants in the training included individuals with firsthand experience as parents or primary caregivers who have navigated various child-serving systems for their children with social, emotional, developmental, health, or behavioral health needs. These individuals will offer direct services through Human Service Centers, family-run organizations, private agencies, and other child-serving systems across the state, ensuring the skills they have acquired will benefit communities immediately.