As parents, we hear so often about the importance of a “village” to support us in raising our children. Having friends and family close by to support your family can make such a huge impact on parents and their children. This is especially true for families that are caring for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
But what happens when a family needs a larger village of support around them?
Host Homes Program: A First in North Dakota
Nexus Family Healing has launched North Dakota’s first state-certified Host Homes program for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program creates a new family-based support option that helps young people build independence while remaining connected to their communities and natural families.
Host Homes serve youth by pairing them with trained in-home providers who offer support in a family setting. The program helps youth build daily living skills, increase independence, participate in their communities, and work toward reunification with their natural family.
We got some answers to important questions about the Host Home program to share more about how it works and learn how community members can become a Host Home themselves!
What is the Host Home Program?
Host Homes is a statewide program that connects individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to safe, supportive families in their communities. Too often, families have limited options when they need additional support. For example, a parent may be facing health challenges, caring for multiple children with complex needs, or struggling to find appropriate services that allow their child to remain in their home community.
Host Home providers offer a family environment where individuals can build relationships, develop life skills, gain independence, and stay connected to their communities and natural families. The ultimate goal is to provide stability, foster belonging, and support reunification with natural families whenever possible.
While the Host Home program serves all ages, the greatest need right now is for youth ages 10-19.
What does a Host Home Provider really do?
Host Home providers become trusted mentors and members of a youth’s support network. Youth live in the Host Home, where they become part of everyday family life. They share meals, celebrate holidays, participate in community activities, attend appointments, and build important life skills. Through those daily experiences, providers help youth build confidence, independence, and meaningful relationships while maintaining connections with their natural families and support system.
“This program is about more than providing a place to live. It’s about creating belonging, connection, and opportunity,” said Sommer Baker, Host Homes Program Director at Nexus Family Healing. “North Dakota families now have access to a program that helps youth with disabilities build life skills, pursue their goals, and thrive in a supportive family environment.”
What are the requirements to become a Host Home?
People from many different backgrounds are encouraged to apply to be a Host Home. You don’t need to have previous parenting experience. Many successful Host Home Providers come from a variety of backgrounds and have no previous professional experience in disability services. What matters most is having a stable home, compassion, patience, and a desire to make a difference in a young person’s life.
No prior training is required before applying. All Host Home Providers complete required training and screening before being matched with a youth.
To become a qualified Host Home provider, individuals must meet several requirements to help ensure a safe, supportive, and stable environment for youth.
Host Home providers must:
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Pass a comprehensive criminal background check for all adults living in the home
- Successfully complete a home study and licensing process
- Complete 12 hours of annual training
- Maintain liability insurance
- Provide three personal references
Throughout the licensing and approval process, a dedicated Nexus Family Healing team member will guide and support you every step of the way, answering questions, providing resources, and helping ensure you feel prepared and confident as a Host Home provider.
How long does a child stay with a Host Home?
Every situation is unique and there’s no limit to how long a youth can spend with a Host Home provider.
How is this different from Foster Care?
While Host Homes provide many of the same support as foster care, there is one important difference. In a Host Home, parents or caregivers typically maintain custody of their child while the youth receives support in a family-based Host Home setting. Host Home providers partner with the youth, their family, and a support team to provide stability, build life skills, encourage independence, and help the youth stay connected to the people and communities that matter most.
What type of support do Host Homes receive?
The Nexus Family Healing team supports Host Home providers to ensure both the youth and the family have the help they need to succeed.
Providers receive ongoing support throughout their experience, which may include:
- A dedicated case manager
- 24/7 on-call support
- Ongoing training opportunities
- Access to resources and guidance
- Connection with other Host Home Providers for peer support
Host Home Providers also receive a monthly stipend to help offset the costs associated with supporting a youth.
Are there any current Host Home Providers?
Yes! The program recently reached a major milestone with the certification of North Dakota’s first Host Home provider in West Fargo, expanding family-based support options for youth with disabilities and their families.
The program’s first certified Host Home providers, Jean Pierre Shukuru and Nyambibi “Bibi” Jolie of West Fargo, bring years of experience as foster parents with Nexus Family Healing.
“We have always enjoyed helping others, especially youth, and wanted a way to continue serving our community,” Shukuru said. “As a Host Home, we hope to support young people, build their confidence, provide mentorship, and help prepare them for a brighter future.“
Where is the greatest need for providers?
Nexus Family Healing is actively seeking Host Home providers across North Dakota, particularly in the Fargo-Moorhead and the Bismarck-Mandan areas (and within a 60 mile radius of those areas). The more families who step forward, the more youth can remain connected to their communities and support systems.
How Can I Learn More?
Anyone who is interested in becoming a Host Home can schedule a quick virtual, no-obligation meeting to chat with the team at Nexus Family Healing. You can also learn more at nexusfamilyhealing.org, call our Fargo office at 701-280-9545, our Bismarck office at 701-224-9611.
The team at Nexus Family Healing can answer questions and help determine whether Host Homes might be a good fit for your family.
About Nexus Family Healing
Nexus Family Healing has been helping children, families, and communities find hope and healing for more than 50 years. They provide a range of services including mental and behavioral health support, foster care and adoption, residential treatment, crisis services, and now Host Homes in North Dakota. At their core, they believe every child is worth it and every family matters.
