BISMARCK — North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently completed its five-year needs assessment to identify new or emerging priorities for the maternal and child health population. New activities for the priorities will begin Oct. 1 and run until Sept. 30, 2030. HHS is inviting public comment on draft priorities now through April 4.

Federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funds support preventive and primary care health services for women and children. The Title V block grant is a federal-state partnership to address priority needs identified through a comprehensive needs assessment.

North Dakota’s priorities address the state’s plan to provide services to the maternal and child health population. The following priority areas were identified:

— Identify, reduce or eliminate barriers preventing women from receiving recommended postpartum care, including but not limited to mental health screening, breastfeeding support, care coordination and other support.

— Use statewide resources to educate about and implement infant safe sleep best practices.

— Expand partnerships with existing community resources (schools, food banks, local public health units, etc.) to improve access to healthy food options.

— Improve care coordination to link the pediatric population to essential services and resources.

— Identify, reduce or eliminate barriers preventing adolescents from receiving mental health treatment and counseling.

— Improve the system of care for children with special health care needs.

To view details on the draft priorities, visit: hhs.nd.gov/nd-mch-priorities. Copies will also be provided upon request.

Individuals can provide public comment by April, by email to krhruby@nd.gov, by phone to 328-4854, 711 (TTY) or by mail to North Dakota Health and Human Service, Public Health Division, Attn: Kimberly Hruby, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250.