“When we can break through the stigma we can help people understand this is a disease just like any other disease.” — Terri White, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Mental health advocates, health providers and law enforcement point to a lack of access to routine care and loss of private beds in Tulsa as the cause of the increase in out-of-town transports.
One of the goals behind expanding Strong Tomorrows is to help the district “offset” the loss of Margaret Hudson, said TPS spokeswoman Emma Garrett-Nelson.
CRT is part of an emerging shift in Tulsa to free up law enforcement and emergency services, connect people to the proper resources and change the way mental health calls are handled.
The federal lawsuit alleges jail employees knew Michael Manos wasn’t getting his medication, wasn’t eating, was immobile and was in a psychotic state during his time in the jail.
The federal grants provide Oklahoma organizations about $3.8 million annually to implement evidence-based programs to reduce the state’s teen birthrate. Nearly $8 million will be lost because of the cuts.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, fewer than 10 percent of the 61,000 veterans in Tulsa County are supplied with dental benefits through the VA, causing many to forgo dental insurance altogether.
Newborn screening identifies rare diseases that can cause disability, death or serious health issues if not treated quickly. Dozens of Oklahoma hospitals are failing to send tests to the state lab in a timely manner.
