News

(Bismarck, ND) The Olmstead Commission, a governor-appointed board, is tasked with moving North Dakota towards greater community integration and inclusion for persons with disabilities. A robust direct support workforce is essential to achieving this goal. Seeing great challenges in this area, the Olmstead Commission wanted to explore challenges and find solutions to the issues facing the direct support workforce.

On December 12, 2022 Protection & Advocacy hosted a presentation with the Department of Health & Human Services to discuss the Department’s proposed budget for the next biennium.  DHHS staff provided an overview of priorities for their work with a focus on disability and mental health services. The recording of the presentation is now available for viewing.

(Bismarck, ND) As voters prepare to head off to the polls on November 8th, many people research the candidates, read the measures, and find the location of their voting site. People with disabilities do all these things, but they also face additional barriers to voting.

(Bismarck, ND) Every October since 1945 America has observed National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  As this month comes to an end, the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project (P&A) would like to recognize the valuable skills and talents that people with disabilities bring to the workplace.  People with disabilities make up the largest minority population in the United States at approximately 25% and remains one of the largest untapped labor pools.

The Protection & Advocacy Project (P&A) is the premier civil rights organization for people with disabilities in North Dakota.  P&A was established in 1977 and has grown to administer several federal programs to meet the needs of the disability community.  P&A strives to promote the equality and inclusion of people with disabilities where we live, learn, work, and play.

Recording Available for the Dept. of Human Services presentation on ARPA Spending Plans

Legislative Working Group met on June 24, 2022.  Representatives from the ND Department of Human Services shared information and progress on their plan for investing $31.6 million in home and community based services through the American Rescue Plan Act.

P&A’s Legislative Working Group is meeting virtually on June 24, 2022 at 4pm.  Representatives from the ND Department of Human Services will be sharing information and progress on their plan for investing $31.6 million in home and community based services through the American Rescue Plan Act.  Click here to join the meeting.

(Bismarck, ND) North Dakota prides itself on being one of the most open legislatures in the country. Last legislative session, our Legislature became more accessible and open to the public than it has ever been. The ND Protection & Advocacy Project, the State’s premier civil rights organization for people with disabilities, commends the efforts of the Legislature and Legislative Council. All North Dakotans had the opportunity to take part in our political process by submitting written testimony online, testifying virtually, or watching and listening to committee hearings and floor sessions online.

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program

On June 21, 2022 representatives from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) will visit the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project in Bismarck, North Dakota.

SAMHSA/CMHS invites you to send comments about the PAIMI Program services and activities conducted by the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project.