Are You Looking for Family Support Services?  Family support services is an umbrella term that includes lots of different kinds of supports that help families stay together and raise and educate children or youth with special health care needs or disabilities.  Some ND agencies provide direct services to families, while others offer information or referral.  Some offer services statwide, while others are working only in a certain region, county or town.  These are popular resources available in ND.

ND State Resources Contact information for State Agencies and Organizations, Politicians, Disability-Specific Organizations, and more.

The Arc of Bismarck — The Arc of Bismarck works to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families through education and advocacy efforts. They also own and operate The Arc Thrift Store in Bismarck.

 The Arc of Cass County — The Arc of Cass County works to promote inclusion, independence, and self-determination through advocacy and education for people with developmental disabilities.

 The Arc, Upper Valley — The Arc, Upper Valley work on behalf of people with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities and their families. They also own and operate The Arc Thrift Store in Grand Forks.

 Children’s Special Health Services (CSHS) — CSHS provides services for children with special healthcare needs & their families including special disability clinics throughout the state. They promote family-centered, community-based, coordinated services & systems of healthcare and are knowledgeable about resources for health care.

 Family Voices of North Dakota — ND’s Health Information and Education Center for families of children with special health care needs: disability, chronic illness, physical or mental health conditions. They coordinate the state parent to parent program and support a number of online communities. They also provide information on paying for medical expenses and provide leadership training for familes.

 Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health — The family voice for children’s mental health. This organization assists familes whose children are at risk for out of home placement and attend IEP meetings with families whose children have emotional or behavioral challenges.

 Interagency Programming for Assistive Technology (IPAT) — IPAT delivers services so people with disabilities can get the assistive technology they need for work, school, and home.

 Mental Health American of North Dakota — Building dignity and respect...understanding the rights of people with disabilities.

 North Dakota Association for the Disable (NDAD) — NDAD assists people with mental and physical disabilities in the state of North Dakota, many of whom are not eligible for services from other agencies.

ND Path of ND - The Path program provides therapeutic foster care to at risk children and youth with special emotional, behavioral and medical needs and provides training and resources to foster care parents..

 ND DPI, Special Education — Responsible for administering North Dakota’s Special Education Programs They have a parent page on their website and comprehensive resources on transition services. .

 ND Parent to Parent — This project matches parents with experienced parents based on age, disability or other factors as requested by the family. If you want to meet another familiy who has experienced similar challenges this agency can help. 

 Protection & Advocacy (P&A) — P&A advocates for the legal rights of North Dakotans with disabilities. Please take some time to explore their website to learn about P&A and the rights of people with disabilities.

 Regional Human Service Centers — Provide services that help vulnerable North Dakotans of all ages to maintain or enhance their quality of life that may be threatened by lack of financial resources, emotional crises, disabling conditions, or an inability to protect themselves. These agencies contract to provide infant development and early intervention services statewide.