Nexus Family Healing: A Stable Home for North Dakota Youth
Nexus Family Healing is recruiting Host Home providers across North Dakota to give youth ages 10 to 19 with intellectual and developmental disabilities a safe, stable family setting close to home.
For a young person who needs extra support, a safe and stable home can be a place to build confidence, learn everyday skills and form real relationships. That is the idea behind the new Host Homes Program from Nexus Family Healing, built for North Dakota youth ages 10 to 19 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Support Without Losing Connection
The program carefully matches youth with trained Host Home providers who offer individualized support, mentorship and a family environment. The goal goes beyond housing. Providers help young people build life skills and greater independence while keeping their connections to school, activities and support networks whenever possible.
Keeping families connected is central to the work, with the overall goal of reuniting youth with their natural families.
A Need Close to Home
Host Homes is North Dakota's only state-certified program of its kind. Nexus is recruiting providers statewide, and the need is especially urgent within 60 miles of Fargo and Bismarck. More local providers means more young people can stay near the relationships, activities and support systems that matter most to them.
The program reflects the national nonprofit's broader mission of stabilizing families and strengthening mental health, work it has done for more than 50 years. In North Dakota, Nexus also offers Treatment Foster Care, residential treatment at Luther Hall in Fargo, Independent Living services for youth aging out of foster care, and school-based mental health support.
Caring Adults, Supported Along the Way
You do not need a background in human services to explore becoming a Host Home provider. Nexus supplies training, ongoing support and resources to help individuals and families succeed. Applicants come from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ individuals and families.
Providers must be at least 21 years old, pass background and home safety checks, and complete the required training.
A willingness to care, connect and consistently support a young person, not an expectation of being a perfect parent.
Nexus Family Healing: Experience Behind the Program
Host Homes Program Director Sommer Baker brings more than 17 years of human services experience to the initiative. Before leading the North Dakota launch, she directed a similar program in Minnesota, connecting individuals with disabilities to supportive, family-based living arrangements.
North Dakota's first certified Host Home providers, Jean Pierre "John Pierre" Shukuru and Nyambibi "Bibi" Jolie, are based in West Fargo.
Take the First Step
Interested adults can schedule a virtual informational session or complete an online interest form through the Host Homes page at nexusfamilyhealing.org. Questions are also welcome by email, phone or text.
Whether someone is ready to open their home or simply wants to understand the commitment, reaching out is a chance to learn how they might help a young person find stability, connection and belonging.
Nexus Family Healing
1202 28th St S, Fargo, ND 58103
Call 701-280-9545 (Fargo) or 701-224-9611 (Bismarck)
Text 701-850-9335
Email NPH-HostHomes@nexusfamilyhealing.org
nexusfamilyhealing.org
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nexus Host Homes Program?
It is a state-certified program that matches North Dakota youth ages 10 to 19 who have intellectual and developmental disabilities with trained Host Home providers who offer a stable, family-style home.
Who can become a Host Home provider?
Providers must be at least 21 years old, pass background and home safety checks, and complete the required training. No background in human services is needed, and applicants from all backgrounds are welcome.
Where is Nexus recruiting providers?
Statewide, with an especially urgent need within 60 miles of Fargo and Bismarck.
How do I get started?
Schedule a virtual informational session or fill out the online interest form on the Host Homes page at nexusfamilyhealing.org. You can also call 701-280-9545 in Fargo, 701-224-9611 in Bismarck, text 701-850-9335 or email NPH-HostHomes@nexusfamilyhealing.org.
What other services does Nexus offer in North Dakota?
Treatment Foster Care, residential treatment at Luther Hall in Fargo, Independent Living services for youth aging out of foster care, and school-based mental health support.
Published October 20, 2026
