About the Department of Human Services
Mission
To provide quality, efficient, and effective human services, which improve the lives of people.
Department's Role
- Provides services that help vulnerable North Dakotans of all ages to maintain or enhance their quality of life, which may be threatened by lack of financial resources, emotional crises, disabling conditions, or an inability to protect themselves.
- Supports the provision of services and care as close to home as possible to maximize each person's independence while preserving the dignity of all individuals and respecting their constitutional and civil rights.
Quick Facts
- The department employs about 2,000 employees located throughout the state.
- Eighty-four percent of the department's employees work at the human service centers, the State Hospital, and the Developmental Center.
- The N. D. Department of Human Services' 2007-2009 legislatively approved budget totals $1.9 billion; $595.7 million comes from the general fund (state funds). See graphic image: Where Does the Money Go? (154kb pdf)
- For caseload and expenditure data on selected human services programs, view the Quarterly Budget Insight report.
Department of Human Services Strategic Plan (2008)
The Department's Strategic Plan. (79kb pdf) It is updated periodically to reflect newly identified trends, goals, and action steps.
Other Publications
To learn more about the department, view the Biennial Report (5.91 Mb pdf). To locate publications about the department (DHS) including the Executive Summary (23kb pdf)and Final Summary Report: 2007 Public Stakeholder Meeting Comments (110kb pdf), or division-specific publications, please see the Publications section.
Departmental Structure
The department is an umbrella agency headed by Executive Director Carol K. Olson who was appointed by the governor. The department is organized into three major subdivisions consisting of Field Services, Program and Policy Management, and Managerial Support. (org chart) (17kb pdf)
Other Information
- Careers at DHS
- The North Dakota Department of Human Services employs about 2000 people across North Dakota. Announcements of job openings are available at Job Service North Dakota offices, college and university job placement centers, and on the state's Human Resource Management Services Web site.
- Human Services Directories
- The directories are not all inclusive, but may be useful to locate social service agencies and other resources.
- News
- Department of Human Services news releases are listed by date issued.
Contact Information
North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 325
Bismarck N.D. 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-2310
Toll Free: (800) 472-2622
TTY: (701) 328-3480
Fax: (701) 328-2359
dhseo@nd.gov
Top of page 
Back to previous page
