Mission Statement

The mission of Ward County Human Service Zone is to provide quality programs and services, as directed by public policies, to vulnerable individuals and families to provide for basic needs, ensure safety, and promote self-sufficiency.

 Services

 Ward County Human Service Zone provides a wide range of services including social services and economic assistance programs. Some services are provided directly by county employees and others are provided through contracts.
 
 See the following pages for a list of services: 

• Child Protection and Family Services
• Economic Assistance

Administrative Structure

 Ward County Human Service Zone is directly responsible to the Ward County Human Service Zone Board. The board is accountable to the Ward County Commission and, where designated, the North Dakota Department of Human Services. 
  
 The Ward County Human Service Zone Board consists of the director, two County Commissioners, 1 legislator, and 3 community members. The board meets monthly and by special session. The board appoints the human service zone director with the approval of the County Commission and North Dakota Department of Human Services.

 Personnel 

 For 2023, Ward County Human Service Zone has authorized/budgeted for 68 positions. Personnel include, but are not limited to, social workers, family service specialists, eligibility specialists, and administrative staff.
 

Budget

The 2023 Ward County Human Service Zone operating budget is slightly over $6.3 million. This budget includes state share of funding for mandated state and federal programs; and general assistance for county burials which are county funded. It does not include financial benefits paid through programs such as Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Need Families (TANF), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The Ward County Human Service Zone makes all services and assistance available without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, political beliefs or affiliations, disability or status with respect to marriage or public assistance, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the North Dakota Human Rights Act of 1983.  Persons who contract with or receive funds to provide services for the Ward County Human Service Zone are obligated to abide by the provisions of these laws.  The Ward County Human Service Zone makes its programs accessible to persons with disabilities.  

Persons needing accommodation or who have questions or complaints regarding the provision of services according to these Acts may contact Kristi Frederick, Director, Ward County Human Service Zone, PO Box 2209, Minot, ND 58702-2209, Phone 701-852-3552, or 701-857-0756 (FAX), or the Program Civil Rights Officer, ND Department of Human Services, Legal Advisory Unit, 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Department 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250, 1-701-328-2311, TTY 1-800-366-6888, FAX 701-328-2173, or the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, Region VIII, 999 18^th St, Suite 417, Denver, CO 80202, 1-800-368-1019, TTY 1-800-537-7697, FAX 303-844-2025, or Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, HHH Building, Room 509-F, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201, 1-202-619-0403, TTY 1-800-537-7697, FAX 202-619-3437, or the US Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, 1-866-632-9992 , TTY 1-800-877-8339, FAX 202-692-7442.  

NON-DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT POLICY 

The policy of the Ward County Human Service Zone is to assure that all applicants for employment and employees of the Ward County Human Service Zone are subject to uniform human resource policies and should not be subjected to discrimination in all terms and conditions of employment on the basis of an applicant’s or an employee’s race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, political beliefs or affiliation, disability, status with respect to marriage or public assistance or participation in lawful activity of the Ward County Human Service Zone’s premises during non-working hours which is not in direct conflict with the essential business-related interests of the Ward County Human Service Zone. The Ward County Human Service Zone makes its employment process accessible to persons with disabilities.

Persons needing accommodations or who have questions or complaints may contact Kristi Frederick, Director, Ward County Human Service Zone, PO Box 2209, Minot, ND 58702-2209, Phone 701 852-3552; 701 857-0756 (FAX).