In Bismarck, North Dakota, the Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division has awarded grant money to 21 organizations totaling $3.4 million. These organizations were chosen based on their ability to make a positive impact in the community.
Among the recipients are Youthworks, Mandan Public Schools, and Bismarck Public Schools. Youthworks, known for providing shelter to runaway and homeless youth, also offers additional services. Program Manager Mark Heinert emphasized the connection between mental health issues, behavioral health problems, and addiction among the youth they work with. They plan to use the grant money to expand their behavioral health programs by providing more training for staff and offering more support services.
Katie Houle, a clinical administrator at North Dakota Health and Human Services, stressed the importance of early intervention in addressing behavioral health issues. By connecting with parents and filling gaps in youth services, the goal is to provide support as close to home as possible. Organizations like Mandan and Bismarck Public Schools are also recipients of the grant money.
In Bismarck Public Schools, Director of Special Education Danica Nelson explained that they plan on using the funding to tailor student support services to individual needs. This approach has proven to boost students’ sense of belonging and confidence in academic and social-emotional skills. The grant money is set to be distributed to the organizations over the next few years, until September 2025.
The Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division has awarded $3.4 million in grants to 21 organizations in North Dakota’s capital city of Bismarck. These grants were given based on each organization’s ability to positively impact their community.
Youthworks is one of these recipients and provides shelter for runaway and homeless youth while offering additional services such as mental health counseling and addiction treatment.
Program Manager Mark Heinert highlighted the connection between mental health issues, behavioral health problems
