North Dakota contracts with over 25 service providers in local communities to provide services in homes, group living arrangements, on the job and in the community. Providers include Independent Living Centers, For Profit and Non-Profit community based facilities and private insurance groups.

Enrollment in a program must be facilitated by a referral from the DD case management system. To access the system, contact the nearest Human Service Center.

Some provide vocational or day services, others provide housing and residential services, and some provide both. Most providers assist persons with disabilities with transportation until the individual is employed. Types of services include:

• Day/Work Activities – A program where people earn sub-minimum wages as they obtain work experience. Non-working hours are filled with  structured training and recreational activities.
• Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) - A highly structured/staffed program of intensive, aggressive support and training for persons with significant/multiple disabilities.
• Transitional Community Living Facility (TCLF), Minimally Supervised Living Facility (MSLA) - A group home or supervised apartment setting for persons with disabilities designed to provide a moderate level of support or develop skills that will help the person transition to a less intrusive setting.
• Congregate Care Facility (CC) - A minimally supervised residential setting for persons with DD who are above the age of 50.
• Individualized Supported Living Arrangement (ISLA), Supported Living Arrangement (SLA) - A program of support for a person living in a house or apartment designed to decrease dependence on staff and lead to independence in maintaining a lifestyle.
• Supported Employment Program (SEP) - A program of intensive on the job supports that are gradually decreased and discontinued over a 9-18 month period as the individual gains independence on the job.

If you are considering services from a provider, the following list of Questions about Adult Services may prove helpful. 

Further Information about North Dakota Service Providers may be obtained through the ArcLink.  (This link is not yet published, but is under construction.)

North Dakota Centers for Independent Living

North Dakota has four Independent Living Centers. They provide services to adults and children with disabilities and their families and can be a one stop shop. The ND Centers are:

1. Freedom  Resource Center  - A center focused on working toward equality and inclusion for people with disabilities.  They serve 10 counties in North Dakota through community education, empowerment and systems change, as well as publish a quarterly newsletter, “Freedom Focus”. For more information, call the Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN, office at  1-800-450-0459 or the satellite office in Jamestown, ND, at 1-701-252-4693 voice/tty. 
2. Dakota Center for Independent Living -  This center is located in Bismarck and is one of the oldest centers in North Dakota. They provide a variety of services to adults and families and offer a comprehensive course in self advocacy, entitled Partners in Policymaking.  You can call them at 1-800-489-5013.
3. Options Center for Independent Living - This center is located in Grand Forks and covers 8 counties in North Dakota. They provide information and referral advocacy, peer visiting and skills training.  They publish a quarterly newsletter called "Options  Choices & Rights". Call them at 1-800-726-3692 for more information.
4. Independence Inc. - This center is located in Minot and is one of the newest centers in North Dakota.  It provides a variety of services to adults and families in the northwest quandrant of the state.   You can call them at 1-800-377-5114.