North Dakota Comprehensive Behavioral Health System Analysis

North Dakota

Client(s)

North Dakota Department of Human Services

Status

Active

Opportunity

An in-depth review of North Dakota’s behavioral health system

We worked with the North Dakota Department of Human Services to understand community behavioral health needs and existing services, provide recommendations for closing gaps between community need and current resources, and support implementation of systems change activities.

Approach

Our goal was to support the state to sustain a behavioral health system that focuses on the health and wellbeing of the whole population to prevent mental health and substance use problems before they occur, identify and intervene early when behavioral health issues are present; and provide person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented services and supports to those with behavioral health–related needs.

Using various quantitative and qualitative data sources, we examined the service provision across the categories that constitute an optimal behavioral health service system.

Social determinants of health

This work is informed by the social determinants of health, which are the social and environmental conditions in which people live. Roughly 10% to 20% of health determinants—including behavioral health determinants—derive from medical care, while social, behavioral, and environmental factors account for the remaining 80% to 90% of health outcomes. A well-functioning behavioral health system incorporates a continuum of social support services that includes employment, housing, and self-help, alongside clinical treatment.

Impact

We recommended a number of activities the state can implement to support individuals’ recovery in their homes and communities—including evidence-based approaches such as peer support, telebehavioral health, supported housing and employment, and integrated physical and behavioral health services.

We focused on ways the state might strategically examine utilization patterns and need for services to ensure people receive the right level of care at the right time. Such strategies will allow the state to disinvest from costly and undesirable institutional services and reinvest funding upstream to promote population health and prevent and reduce the need for intensive behavioral health services.

Setting the course for transformation

Since we completed our analysis, we’ve been supporting the North Dakota Behavioral Health Planning Council to engage in coordinated, data-driven system transformation activities based on the recommendations from the study–an effort known as the North Dakota Behavioral Health Plan.

Working with service users and families, advocates, providers, administrators, and other North Dakotans, we’re helping the state set its course for ongoing system monitoring, planning, and improvements in the long term.

Project Dashboards

The Behavioral Health Planning Council, with support from HSRI, monitors progress, troubleshoots problems, and initiates future improvements. For updates, select a dashboard below:

The HSRI study is a major milestone that outlines the next steps all our key partners need to work on over the next five years.
Kathy Hogan, North Dakota state representative and chairman of the interim Human Services Committee

Specialties

Behavioral Health

Solutions

Person-Centered Practices and Systems

Services

Data Analysis & Visualizations

Data Collection & Management

Implementation Strategy & Planning

Policy Analysis

Research & Program Evaluation

Technical Assistance & Training