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Mental Health Treatment Levels of Care Banner

Please contact the regional human service center in your area for information about publicly funded, youth and family community-based behavioral health treatment services.

Outpatient Therapeutic Services

  • Individual or group therapy by a licensed clinician
  • Psychiatry services through a primary care physician or primary psychiatrist

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

  • Typically held several times per week in the evenings for several hours. It may have a family component.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Day Treatment

  • Typically held Monday - Friday for the entire school day. School work will be done at the program either through an arrangement with the district or a charter school if the program has one available.
  • Therapeutic services will be offered throughout the day and a family component may be included. Partial Hospitalization is connected to a hospital while day treatment may be provided by an outpatient provider.

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF)

  • Are facilities that provide children and adolescents with a comprehensive 24-hour therapeutic environment integrating group living, educational services and a clinical program based upon an interdisciplinary clinical assessment and an individualized treatment plan that meets the needs of the child and family
  • Are available to children in need of and able to respond to active psychotherapeutic intervention and who cannot be effectively treated in their own family, in another home or a less restrictive setting
  • Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities are licensed by ND Department of Health and Human Services, and all carry accreditation by national accreditation bodies. For information on licensing, contact the Behavioral Health Administrator at (701) 328-8920.
  • To initiate a referral to a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, please complete the universal application form (SFN 824) and email the form to bhnavigator@nd.gov.

Voluntary Treatment Program

  • Is administered by ND Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Division
  • Is an option for parents to access out-of-home treatment for their children without relinquishing legal custody when the child's circumstances fall within the intent of this program. The child must be covered by the Medicaid program and the application be approved by the Behavioral Health Division
  • To apply for this program, parents or legal guardians should complete the universal application form (SFN 824) and the Multi-Agency Authorization for Release of Information (SFN 970) and submit to Sara Kapp, Administrator at skapp@nd.gov.
  • If approved, this program will pay for the non-Medicaid portion of the treatment facilities rate for the approved timeframe.
  • For more information, contact the Behavioral Health Administrator at (701) 328-8920, 711 (TTY).

Inpatient Hospitalization

  • Based on acute psychiatric issues and imminent risk of harm to self or others, or likelihood of significant decompensation, based on a risk assessment. Typically, short-term for stabilization and coordination to a lower level of care.

Accessing the Right Level of Care at the Right Time

  • Accessing services typically begins with a connection to a provider where they will complete a diagnostic assessment to further determine the type and level of service that will be most helpful. You may choose a provider based on your needs and preferences. North Dakota's Mental Health Registry can be a starting point.
  • While many providers accept both Medicaid and private insurance, there are options within the public healthcare system that may also meet your family's needs through one of the eight regional community behavioral health clinics (Human Service Centers).
  • Mental Health crises may happen at any point during the continuum of care. North Dakota offers 24/7 crisis services through 988, a free and confidential phone/text line as well as mobile crisis services when a face-to-face intervention is needed.