Grand Forks
To find out about key benefits and services in Grand Forks and how to apply, select from the topics below.
Refugee & Newcomer Health
A refugee medical screening (also known as a health assessment) is a special medical appointment for refugees and newcomers resettling in the U.S. It is an important first step in receiving medical care in the U.S. It is a comprehensive physical examination of all family members and an opportunity to identify any physical and mental health concerns that could prevent you from employment, attending school, gaining economic self-sufficiency, and integration.
Accessing Health Care
- North Dakota Refugee Health Programs
1. Spectra Health: Federally Qualified Health Care Center
Spectra Health is a contracted refugee health partner. It is a federally funded health center that serve medically underserved areas and populations. Federally qualified health centers provide primary care services regardless of your ability to pay. Services are provided on a sliding scale fee based on your ability to pay.
Phone: 701-757-2100
2. Global Friends Coalition
Provides medical and mental health navigation, in addition to offering an orientation to the U.S. healthcare system.
Phone: 701-746-8233
Medicaid is a program that helps pay for medical services for qualifying low-income adults, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities.
- Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA)
RMA provides short-term medical coverage for up to 12 months from the date of arrival to the U.S., and it is available to ORR-eligible populations who are ineligible for Medicaid, usually due to earned income. The benefits are generally similar to Medicaid.
Contact ND State Refugee Health Coordinator
Health Insurance Navigator can help answer questions related to Medicaid programs or health care coverage purchased through the marketplace. It helps break down some of the enrollment barriers by making the process easier and providing better access to essential healthcare.
Phone: 701-858-3467
The social service team helps navigate community agencies, referral programs, and support services.
Phone: 701-757-2100
The Health Insurance Marketplace® (also known as the “Marketplace” or “exchange”) lets you compare health insurance plan options from various companies and complete an application for health care coverage. Most people use the Marketplace when they don’t have coverage through a job or if the plan their company offers is too expensive.
Serves as the local public health unit.
Phone: 701-787-8100
Use this directory to find a primary care provider who participates in the North Dakota Medicaid program. The directory indicated whether the doctor is accepting new Medicaid patients, as well as the provider’s cultural and linguistic capabilities.
Persons with Disabilities
Provides training and employment services to individuals with disabilities so they can become and remain employed.
Phone: 701-328-8950
Developmental Disabilities provides support and training to individuals and families in order to maximize community and family inclusion, independence, and self-sufficiency; to prevent institutionalization; and to enable institutionalized individuals to return to the community.
Phone: 701-795-3000
NDAD assists individuals with disabilities in the state of North Dakota.
Phone: 701-281-8215
Community Options assists people to live and work in the community of their choice.
Phone: 701-223-2417
Seniors
SOR program increases integration and independent healthy living for older ORR-eligible populations.
Phone: 701-895-4529
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older.
ADRL connects people to services to help them maintain or improve quality of life.
Phone: 1-855-462-5465
The Social Security program in the United States provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.
Programs and services that support older adults and adults with physical disabilities to live independently in their own homes and communities if they choose.
Grand Forks Senior Center provides resources and support designed to help older adults remain independent in their homes and provide opportunities to live to their full potential.
Phone: 701-772-7245
Children's Health
Provides programs such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops, and sports clinics that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.
Phone: 701-780-1489
Provides support to ensure that all children have access to a medical home, adequate insurance coverage for needed medical services, and access to transition services (when the child changes from pediatric to adult health care).
Phone: 701-328-2436
Provides developmental assessments and evaluations at no cost to families.
Phone: 701-795-3000
Health insurance program for children.
Phone: 1-866-614-6005
The Department of Health and Human Services supports a range of children’s mental health services across the state, from prevention to crisis response, school programs to treatment.
Mental Health
The Mental Health Program Directory provides a single place to search for mental health services that meet individuals’ needs.
- 24-Hour Behavioral Health Crisis Help
Call 988 for immediate help 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Walk-in Behavioral Health Assessments
Supports individuals in their time of need.
Phone: 701-328-8888
The Village Family Service Center provides behavioral health and other community-based services.
Phone: 701-451-4900
Provides community-based behavioral health services designed to assist individuals through the provision of care coordination and peer support.
- Global Friends Coalition
Provides medical and mental health navigation, in addition to offering an orientation to the U.S. healthcare system.
Phone: 701-746-8233
Dental Care
It specializes in general dentistry, including preventive, restorative, and child screenings. It accepts most insurances, including Medicaid. The SpectraPlan is available to those who qualify.
Phone: 701-757-2100
Vision Health
Cash & Food Assistance
Cash assistance available to residents who enter the U.S. under humanitarian protection with low incomes.
For more information, contact the local resettlement office by email or by phone at 701-409-3750.
Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency.
Federal nutrition program
A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition to low-income women who are pregnant or families that have children aged birth to five.
A program that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people aged 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.
Find Housing
Works to provide safe, affordable housing for all residents of Grand Forks County. Programs and services include the Housing Choice Voucher Program, project-based apartment complexes, family self-sufficiency program, and Housing First.
Phone: 701-746-2545
Assistance with Housing Costs
Helps residents maintain housing stability.
Call 211 (24/7) to speak to a Community Resource Specialist.
Services and programs available include rent and utility assistance and emergency disaster services.
Phone: 701-775-2597
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible families with home heating and weatherization costs. The program partially pays the cost of natural gas, electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, wood, or other fuel sources.
Call 1-866-614-6005 or 701-328-1000; 711 (TTY)
Housing Counseling
- HUD Housing Counseling
HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low-cost advice.
Phone: 800-569-4287
Orientation
Global Friends Coalition
Phone: 701-746-8233
Address: 1815 Demers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND, 58201
Employment
Trained career navigators and case managers will work directly with employers and individuals to meet local workforce challenges. Support to individuals includes skill assessments, training and skill development, job certification and licensing help, job placement guidance, resumes, and interview coaching.
Phone: 701-239-7307
Documentation
- Driver and Vehicle Services
Information and resources about obtaining a driver’s license or state ID.
Phone: 1-855-633-6835
Address: 1951 N. Washington Street Grand Forks, ND 58203
- Social Security Administration (SSA) Directory
Provides Social Security Numbers and administer retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare.
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Address: 402 Demers Avenue, Suite #300 Grand Forks, ND 58201
Language
Offers in-person English Language Learning classes, GED program, and digital literacy classes. In-person case management support is also available from Community Connectors via refugee services.
Phone: 701-795-2777
Offers adult English classes that involve reading and discussing the news with the Easy English newspaper.
Classes: Sundays from 3-4pm at 2314 Library Cir, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: 701-885-1669
- EnGen Virtual Learning
Self-paced English Language Learning that teaches the vocabulary required for specific jobs. Rural refugee arrivals can also participate in live virtual classes.
Phone: 701-934-0692
Offers weekly English class on Mondays from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church, located at 324 Chestnut St. No pre-registration is required and children and welcome to join with parents.
Offers an Intermediate Current Events Class on Wednesdays from 5-6pm, held virtually on Zoom. Please email or call to request the Zoom link.
Phone: 701-746-8233
Classes currently offered include ESL at various levels, Math Foundations, Pre & GED Math, Reading & Language Arts, Reading for Citizenship, and Digital Literacy. Both in-person and virtual classes are available.
Phone: 218-793-2380
Child Care
Use the free online search tool to locate a program that meets your needs.
For one-on-one help, contact a Child Care Aware® Parent Services Specialist by phone at 800-997-8515.
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps pay a portion of the cost of childcare for working families, or families in training or education programs.
Phone: 701-328-2332
Early Childhood Education
The Head Start Program and Early Head Start Programs provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Programs include preschool for ages 3-5 and early childhood education for ages 0-3.
Phone: 701-746-2433
The library offers a variety of education programs and story times for babies, toddlers, and preschool youth. The library also provides monthly family activities.
Phone: 701-772-8116
4-H provides hands-on, real-life experiences through projects, activities, and events. Our program is available to all youth and is offered through 3 clubs within the city of Grand Forks.
Phone: 701-780-8229
K-12 Education
Offers a wide variety of youth sport programs throughout the year. Case managers can help families apply for an Every Kid Sports Pass to cover costs up to $150.
Phone: 701-746-2750
Programs offered include Robotics and Coding Club and a STEM Kids for elementary youth. The library offers a Teen Zone where students can receive homework help, utilize the gaming station, and participate in Curiosity Club.
Phone: 701-772-8116
The YMCA offers childcare, education, sport, swimming, and leadership opportunities for youth.
Phone: 701-775-2586
Adult Education
Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals (GGFYP) represents the interests of 20-40 year olds in the area. GGFYP is dedicated to the growth, learning, and development of young professionals within the region.
Legal services through the resettlement network
Services offered include Adjustment of Status, Naturalization, Work Permits, and Replacement of Lawful Permanent Resident Cards for ORR-eligible populations.
Phone: 651-641-1291
Legal services outside of the resettlement network
Services offered include Consultation, Naturalization, Green Card applications, Renewal/Replacement of Green Cards, and Work Authorization.
Phone: 701-746-8233
Address: 1815 Demers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND, 58201
Areas of legal assistance include Asylum applications, T-visa applications, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status applications, Removal Hearings, including for detained immigrants.
Phone: 612-341-9845
- Olufemi Adisa
Call 701-799-9261
Provides legal assistance to low-income individuals for fair housing, labor, health, safety, individual rights, elders, and other areas.
Call 1-800-634-5263 (under age 60) or 1-866-624-9886 (age 60+)
Address: 215 N 3rd St Suite 200, Grand Forks, 58203
Welcome Corps
Employment
Public Safety
Call 911 in case of emergency
Non-emergency phone number: 701-787-8000
Violence, Human Trafficking, and Exploitation
Delivers vital safety and healing services throughout greater Grand Forks to adults and children experiencing domestic or sexual violence.
Crisis Line: 1-866-746-8900
General Phone: 701-746-0405
- Red River Valley Community Action
Emergency shelter for women and children
Phone: 701-746-5431
- U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline
Mental Health
Call 988 for immediate help 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Supports individuals in their time of need.
Phone: 701-328-8888
Transition
Global Friends Coalition
Community Connector provides refugees with support, information, guidance, and service coordination so they can reach their full potential, integrate into the community, and make meaningful connections. They assist clients in accessing educational, health, community-based and specialized services that support the whole family. As a case manager, mentor, and friend, the community connector will meet with clients and their families to identify needs and goals and then work with each household member toward achieving their goals.
Phone: 701-746-8233
Address: 1815 Demers Avenue, Grand Forks, ND, 58201
Faith-based Organizations
- Islamic Center of Grand Forks
Address: 2122 17th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND, 58201
- East Grand Forks Islamic Center
Phone: 218-773-4020
Address: 1500 5th Ave NE, East Grand Forks, MN, 56721
- Al-Huda Islamic Center
Phone: 612-458-9074
Address: 1401 Central Ave NW, East Grand Forks, MN, 56721
- Calvary Community Church of God
Phone: 701-772-5108
Address: 1917 S Washington St, Grand Forks, ND, 58201
Ethnic Community-based Organizations
Services offered include employment support, mental health education, women’s health and well-being education, and youth programs.
Phone: 218-693-1621
Provides English classes, driver’s education, employment preparation, health education, and case management services.
Phone: 612-707-6691
- United African Community
Provides advocacy for immigrant populations.
Phone: 701-739-8258
Address: 1407 24th Ave S, Ste C, Grand Forks, ND 58201
Offers case management, youth programs, Community Connect, health and medical support.
Phone: 701-410-6482