North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities

06/04/2026

Polling places in North Dakota are required to be accessible to voters with disabilities. This includes physical access, accessible voting equipment, and support from trained poll workers.
Features like ramps, accessible machines, and clear signage make a meaningful difference. Accessibility requirements help remove barriers for voters with disabilities.

06/03/2026

Advocacy Alert! 🚨 ‼️

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) outlining how states must implement the new Medicaid work requirements enacted by Congress through H.R. 1. These requirements take effect January 1, 2027, and apply to adults ages 19–64 enrolled in Medicaid expansion (or similar) coverage programs.

Key Provisions of the Interim Final Rule

The IFR provides guidance to states on determining which individuals are subject to Medicaid work requirements and the criteria states must use when making eligibility determinations.

The rule also defines which activities qualify as "community engagement activities" for purposes of meeting work requirements and outlines exceptions for certain individuals, including those who are considered medically frail and some family caregivers.

In addition, the IFR establishes requirements for verifying compliance and exemptions, including the use of state data systems for ex parte verification, documentation requirements, and circumstances under which individuals may self-attest.

Comment Opportunity

CMS is accepting public comments on the Interim Final Rule through July 31, 2026. This is an important opportunity to highlight potential impacts on people with developmental disabilities, family caregivers, and others who may face barriers to maintaining Medicaid coverage.

The Interim Final Rule is available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/03/2026-11094/medicaid-program-community-engagement-requirement-for-certain-individuals

CMS Fact Sheet is here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicaid-community-engagement-requirement-certain-individuals-interim-final-rule-comment-period-cms

If you choose to write comments, please consider sharing any concerns regarding implementation and potential effects on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. And, as always, please share with us and other organizations you're aligned with and we will help share your story.

Thank you for your advocacy.

Medicaid Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (CMS-2454-IFC)

06/02/2026

Year TWO of this incredible partnership! 🎉

Adaptive Camp at The Red River Zoo continues to create meaningful, inclusive experiences for people with diverse needs—and we couldn’t be more excited to keep it going. 🐾💙

Please scan the code in the flyer or click the link in the comments for more details!

06/01/2026

Join us and the North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium at a Disability Pride Event in July!

This event celebrates and honors the identities, contributions, culture, and rights of people with disabilities while promoting visibility, acceptance, and inclusion in society.

There will be informational booths, a speaker, and lunch provided. Just RSVP (as a participant or vendor) with the QR code or here: https://forms.gle/MAnxYeZg1iBf5Hg17

06/01/2026

🗳️ 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼. 𝟭.

At Independence, Inc., we believe informed voters build stronger communities. That's why we're sharing information to help you better understand what's on your ballot before Election Day.

The graphic below provides a simple overview of what a YES vote and a NO vote mean. For those who would like more detailed information, we've also included a link to the official voter guide PDF in the comments.

No matter how you choose to vote, we encourage everyone to take the time to learn about the issues, make an informed decision, and make your voice heard.

💚 Your voice matters.
🗳️ Your vote matters.

06/01/2026

Check with your local transit/bus service provider if they are also offering free rides on election day, Tuesday, June 9th!

05/29/2026

Community Action agencies across North Dakota are helping ensure local voices are heard.

The 2026 North Dakota Statewide Community Needs Assessment is now underway, with survey collection continuing through June 30, 2026. Conducted in partnership with North Dakota State University, the assessment gathers input from low-income households across the state to help guide future planning, programs and funding priorities.

Take the survey here 👉 https://ndgov.link/2026-Needs-Assessment
View 2026 low-income guidelines here 👉 https://ndgov.link/2026-Poverty-Guidelines

05/28/2026

Are you interested in offering developmental screenings in your child care program? If so, we have a FREE professional development (Growing Futures approved) opportunity for you.

ASQ®-3 and ASQ®:SE-2 are easy to use by providers with varying levels of education and expertise, They are the most accurate and cost-effective way to pinpoint delays early and celebrate children’s milestones. Children can be screened between one month and 5½ years, without any gaps between the questionnaire age intervals.

This professional development opportunity will train child care providers in implementing a developmental screening program, utilizing ASQ®-3 and ASQ®:SE-2, in the child care environment.

The training includes three, 2-HOUR VIRTUAL, sessions that cover what you need to know to offer developmental screenings in your program. Below are the session choices. when you register you will be able to choose to attend one of the options for each session.

Session 1:
7/14/26 -- 11:30 PM - 1:30 PM (mt) / 12:30 - 2:30 PM (ct)
OR
7/14/26 -- 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (mt) / 6:30 - 8:30 PM (ct)

Session 2:
7/21/26 -- 11:30 PM - 1:30 PM (mt) / 12:30 - 2:30 PM (ct)
OR
7/21/26 -- 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (mt) / 6:30 - 8:30 PM (ct)

Session 3:
7/28/26 -- 11:30 PM - 1:30 PM (mt) / 12:30 - 2:30 PM (ct)
OR
7/28/26 -- 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (mt) / 6:30 - 8:30 PM (ct)

At the end of the sessions, you will know how to administer both the ASQ®-3 and ASQ®:SE-2 with children in your care.

We know that building a successful screening program is a critical step toward supporting healthy development for all young children. This is why you will also receive FREE access to ASQ Online, which helps you build a smooth and streamlined screening program to support the screening of every child.

05/24/2026

Apply by Friday: Help Build Healthier, More Connected Rural Communities

There’s still time to apply for Rural Health Transformation funding supporting Zero Hour Physical Education programs, community gardens and community-based walking initiatives across rural North Dakota.

If your community has ideas to get people moving, improve wellness and strengthen local connections, we encourage you to apply before the deadline Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. CT.

Apply now: hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding

www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health.../stevens-amendment