Congratulations ND State Health Officer Dr. Nizar Wehbi for being named Secretary-Treasurer of ASTHO! We appreciate your leadership in public health.

ND employers can find ways to meet their workforce needs by supporting working parents. Visit hhs.nd.gov/toolkit for a variety of information and resources most relevant to retaining and recruiting staff.

Our Early Childhood Director, Kay Larson, and Best in Class coaches Shannon Brown and Tasha Lind recently visited with North Dakota Best in Class programs at the Mayville State University Child Development Programs, Maple Valley School in Tower City, Fargo Public Schools, Central Cass Public School in Casselton and Richland School District in Abercrombie. Early childhood programs that participate in the North Dakota Best in Class program receive funds and support to provide the highest-quality learning experience for children the year before kindergarten. Today, 57 programs across North Dakota are participating in the Best in Class program. Learn more about North Dakota Best in Class at hhs.nd.gov/best-in-class

Team HHS is excited to celebrate the historic milestone of 'topping off' the new ND State Laboratory by placing the last steel beam. At the beam signing ceremony, Gov. Burgum, Lt. Gov. Miller, statewide elected officials, state legislators, cabinet leaders, Team ND members from HHS and DEQ and the construction team signed this final beam before it was lifted into place by a crane. https://lnkd.in/grSwVmpA

Do you have a passion for sewing and a commitment to quality service? The Life Skills & Transition Center in Grafton is seeking a seamstress to play a vital role in our Adaptive Equipment Services Team by providing alteration and sewing services to people supported by LSTC. Learn more about this important role and apply today!  https://lnkd.in/gG2bCeuJ

Woodside Village residents benefit from care team collaboration and communication      Quality care is the cornerstone of resident health and well-being at nursing facilities.     It’s this commitment to quality care that has the team at Woodside Village, a 138-bed nursing facility in Grand Forks, excited about a new program that is improving experiences and outcomes for North Dakotans living in nursing facilities.     The state’s Nursing Facility Incentive Program provides incentive payments for improved care in four federal quality measures.    “This is the first time there is some type of bonus payment, above and beyond, for the work that we do,” said Garth Rydland, president and chief executive officer for Valley Senior Living, parent company of Woodside Village. “This program also incentivizes top performing facilities to make improvements.”     One quality measure focuses on the appropriate use of antipsychotic medications to treat mental health diseases and ensures they are not being overused by nursing facility residents.       A dose of collaboration yields results   Rydland knew they could make an impact on residents’ quality of life with this measure, and they did.     Woodside Village reduced the use of antipsychotic medications among residents by about half over the past year.    Their roadmap to success involved change and collaboration.     Woodside Village revamped its required resident medication review process by implementing a monthly multidisciplinary team meeting.     Together the facility’s medical director, consulting pharmacist, registered nurse care coordinators, life enrichment and direct care staff; a dietitian and other professionals review and make recommendations about residents who are taking antipsychotic medications. The goal is to either taper or eliminate doses over time.    “Positive change happens when the care team collaborates. The goal to reduce the antipsychotic medications has resulted in improvements for residents that include a focus on individualized care and nonpharmacological interventions that address behavioral symptoms,” said Dr. Christopher Henderson, medical director at Valley Senior Living.     One noticeable improvement is residents are more involved in activities. They have also reintroduced aromatherapy and use music therapy and other interventions to support residents.       “We're very excited and proud, but also know that the work has to continue,” said Jenny Schultz, director of nursing. “When you care about someone, you want to do better for them.”    ----------------    The Nursing Facility Incentive Program, developed in partnership with the Long-Term Care Association and nursing facilities, was approved by ND lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session. To learn more about the program, visit https://lnkd.in/gtbKc6qk. 

This Infection Prevention Week, we thank the infection preventionists (IPs) in ND who make sure health care workers, residents, families, visitors and patients are doing all they can to prevent infections. IPs look for patterns of infection within the facility; observe practices; educate health care teams; advise health care facility leaders and others; compile infection data; and develop policies and procedures. They also coordinate with local and national public health agencies to support individual and community health. Thank you IPs!

We would like to recognize Fargo Elim, Nelson County Health System, Sanford Hillsboro Care Center, Valley Senior Living-Woodside Village for their performance in four quality measures through our Nursing Facility Incentive Program. Each earned the highest incentive payment for improving health outcomes for North Dakotans in our state’s nursing facilities. Thank you North Dakota Long Term Care Association for help in developing the program that provides access to high-quality services and supports, an HHS strategic priority. Learn more: https://hhsnd.site/6pz

It’s National Employ Older Workers Week. #NEOWW. Read how one woman is benefitting from North Dakota’s Senior Community Service Employment Program.   From sewing clothing for a major motorcycle company to providing direct care to people with disabilities, Rocio De Los Santos’ resume is filled with many meaningful jobs.   After being in the workforce for over 30 years, she found it more difficult to keep her skills sharp and stay competitive in a contemporary workforce.   While living in Texas, she was referred to that state’s Senior Community Service Employment Program, which matches eligible people with nonprofits and public agencies that offer paid training opportunities.    It was the spark her career needed.   “This program made my life easier and helped me improve my skills to obtain employment,” Rocio said.   𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 In July, Rocio moved to Minot to be closer to family. One of the first calls she made was to our state’s Senior Community Service Employment Program.   She was assigned to our Minot Vocational Rehabilitation office to receive part-time on-the-job training as an administrative assistant.   Cheryl Young, a program coordinator says her team also helps participants with creating resumes, applying for jobs and preparing for interviews.   “The program works because it allows individuals who are 55 and older to be seen by their community as having experience and a lot of work left to give,” she said.      𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 Rocio has big plans for the future. Her goal is to one day work full-time for the state as a human resources administrative assistant or in another human services role.   “I love the program,” Rocio said. “It helps people have faith that there's somebody there that cares and wants to help you improve, find happiness and live independently.” - The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a paid skills training program that helps participating nonprofits and public agencies like libraries, schools, hospitals or child care centers meet their workforce needs. It’s administered by the ND Health and Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation program. Learn more: hhs.nd.gov/vr/scsep.  

Business owners: If you have more than 12 male employees, chances are one of them is colorblind! Colorblindness affects mostly men and can have impacts on their job performance and safety. Our Vocational Rehabilitation program is excited to announce we now have colorblindness correction glasses for clients with red/green colorblindness. If you have team members who may benefit from these glasses, contact us to schedule an appointment with our business service specialists. hhs.nd.gov/vr or (800) 755-2745 for more information. #ColorBlindAwarenessMonth