Three major behavioral clinics in Tulsa County will be notified of their state contracts to end on May 10, 2025, potentially cutting off services for tens of thousands of Oklahomans.
Rep. Melissa Provenzano of D-Tulsa said in a public meeting Friday morning, OK Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen said an email sent by Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) was incorrect.
Provenzano said the contract will be renegotiated at the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.
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“I thought I was fast forward to yesterday and working to get everything calm and get that number. And I got a letter saying that the three providers serving Tulsa had ended your contract, so it was all a bit confusing yesterday, but when Commissioner Friessen asked me that this was not true, I don’t know how those emails were sent.”
R-Sapulpa Rep. Mark Lawson responded to the notice, saying the services were not affected at this time.
“I’ve certainly felt at ease and I’ve certainly reassured that repeated or critical services challenges are not intended to be stronger or more towards critical services,” Lawson said.
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The disruption over mental health services has sparked concern among local leaders and healthcare providers about the immediate impact of the community on access to mental health.
When asked about cuts to mental health services on Wednesday, Gov. Stitt told him not to call it a cut, but they said he might take it from what he called an abusive vendor and give it to another vendor.
Governor Stitt pushes back claims for mental health cuts and defends change in vendor contracts
Who will be affected?
According to Provenzano, Grand Mental Health and Creoks Health Services received similar notices from the Administration and Enterprise Services Department, saying the cancellation of the contract was effective May 10th and was deemed “the state’s greatest profit.”
The state also appears to have tried to send the letter to family and children’s services, but it was addressed to former president and CEO Gail Lapidus, who retired in 2023.
State Rep. Mark Lawson (R) Saprupa provided a copy of the notification sent.
The provider responds to notifications
One of the affected providers, Grand Mental Health, shared a statement expressing concern about the estimated 53,000 Oklahomans currently in care at Tulsa facilities.
“Our initial concern is that more than 53,000 Oklahomans through their Tulsa office will soon lose their current mental health and addiction treatment services,” the statement read.
Grand Mental Health says the termination of the contract could force the closure of two important facilities.
- Tulsa’s emergency recovery centre provides crisis intervention and stabilization.
- The state’s largest residential addiction treatment center is also located in Tulsa.
Creoks Health Services CEO Brent Black has issued the following statement:
“It is important that our community knows we will continue to provide high quality care to Oklahomans who need our services. We regularly communicate with our mental health and substance abuse services department and we are confident that there is a positive path to move forward. From a daily operational perspective, our clients have not changed.
Without funding or alternative plans, both could close within weeks.
What’s next?
Operations are expected to last until May 10th, but Grand Mental Health says it can work with the state to find a solution.
More Stories on Mental Health Services in Oklahoma
- Grand Mental Health Training Future Law Enforcement Students Identify Mental Health Indications
- Oklahoma State Assembly Approves Agreement to Improve Mental Health Treatment for Inmates
- Tulsa Police, local organisations worried about cutting funding for mental health programs
