North Dakota’s Behavioral Health Strategic Plan
Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) is supporting the North Dakota Behavioral Health Planning Council and collaborating with service users and families, advocates, providers, administrators, and other North Dakotans to establish a course for ongoing system monitoring, planning, and improvement.
Download a one-pager describing the plan.
History
In 2017-2018, with the help of individuals and groups around the state, HSRI conducted an analysis of North Dakota’s behavioral health system. As part of the work, we conducted focus groups, community listening sessions, and interviews throughout the state. In April 2018, HSRI issued its final report, detailing findings and providing 13 major recommendations for improvement.
The HSRI recommendations were based on our quantitative and qualitative analysis, principles for a ‘good and modern’ behavioral health system, and North Dakotans’ vision for system change. Based on those recommendations and conversations with interested parties, we drafted a comprehensive list of potential strategic goals to enhance and improve all aspects of the state’s behavioral health system in the years to come. Through a series of community engagements, the Behavioral Health Planning Council and system leaders selected goals to be included in the initial strategic plan.
Since 2018, HSRI has worked closely with the Behavioral Health Planning Council and system leaders to identify and operationalize goals aligned with their vision for an improved behavioral health system. These goals are selected to enhance the comprehensiveness, integration, cost-effectiveness, and recovery orientation of the behavioral health system, enabling it to effectively and equitably meet the community’s needs.
The Aims
Monitoring Progress, Sustaining Action
Once goals are selected, HSRI facilitates conversations with system leaders to operationalize them into objectives and action steps with clear timelines and measurable indicators of achievement. The Behavioral Health Planning Council, with support from HSRI, monitors progress, troubleshoots problems, and initiates future improvements. Check out the Behavioral Health Plan Strategic Dashboards for progress updates on the current aims, goals, and objectives.