Oklahomans We’ve Lost: A community volunteer who made others feel welcome
“She was able to really see another person’s aloneness, and then try to make them feel welcome.”
For many Oklahomans in crisis, help now comes from an iPad
Oklahoma is spending millions to expand its mental health crisis response system.
The money will provide iPads for law enforcement across the state, build new mental health centers and expand mobile crisis services.
Five years after voters approved landmark criminal justice reforms, counties are still waiting for mental health funding
The money Oklahoma saved from sending fewer people to prison was supposed to finance county mental health programs. But the Legislature has never sent any money to the fund and no rules have been written for how the money can be spent.
Oklahomans We’ve Lost: A family man who served his country and community
“People would gravitate toward him.”
Vaccinations are on the rise in Oklahoma as hospital beds fill up with new cases
Vaccination rates in Oklahoma have been on an upswing in recent weeks, and state health officials hope the numbers reflect a growing willingness among the unvaccinated to get their shots and stave off an oncoming surge of new cases.
Oklahomans We’ve Lost: A dedicated nurse who threw Halloween parties and cared for rescue dogs
“She loved helping everybody.”
Budget cuts have reduced access to social services in some of Oklahoma’s poorest communities
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services permanently shuttered dozens of offices over the last year in the face of the coronavirus pandemic and state budget cuts. The move left schools and law enforcement to fill the gaps in some rural parts of the state.
The Oklahoma Legislature will raise hospital fees to fund Medicaid expansion
Displeased by hospitals’ support for Medicaid expansion, some Republicans believe increased fees should start before available federal funds are used up.
