Mental Health Association In Tulsa Inc

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH, PREVENTING MENTAL DISORDERS AND ACHIEVING VICTORY OVER MENTAL ILLNESS THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, SERVICE AND HOUSING. OUR VISION IS A JUST, HUMANE AND HEALTHY SOCIETY IN WHICH ALL PEOPLE ARE ACCORDED RESPECT, DIGNITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, FREE FROM STIGMA AND PREJUDICE. AS SUCH, WE ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS, MONITOR LEGISLATION, DISTRIBUTE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, PROVIDE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, MAKE REFERRALS FOR SERVICES, PROVIDE ADULTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIALIZATION, VOCATIONAL AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, ASSIST IN DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-EMPOWERMENT SKILLS, DEVELOP IMPROVED ACCESS TO AND COORDINATION AMONG EXISTING LEGAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, LEVERAGE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES OR REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER DISABILITIES AS THEY NEGOTIATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND PROVIDE A RANGE

UTILIZING A DEBT-FREE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT MODEL, MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA OWNS 24 AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPERTIES IN 22 NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS THE CITY OF TULSA AND IN OKLAHOMA CITY. ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, OUR PORTFOLIO PROVIDES SAFE, DECENT, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO MORE THAN 2,500 INDIVIDUALS AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING HOUSING FOR HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS AND HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER, AND/OR CO-OCCURRING DISORDER. AS A RESULT OF THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING MODEL PROVIDED BY OUR AGENCY, MANY INDIVIDUALS SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND ARE ONCE AGAIN LIVING AS PRODUCTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THEIR SOCIETY. TO ADD, THE ASSOCIATION ALSO OFFERS AN ARRAY OF SERVICES AND SUPPORTS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS SUSTAIN AND MAINTAIN HOUSING. SUCH SUPPORTS INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICESDESIGNED TO IDENTIFY RESIDENT'S GOALS AND WORK WITH THEM TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DESIGNED TO LINK PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MEET THEIR SKILLS AND INTERESTS, PEER SUPPORTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL ILLNESS, AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS FOR THE SAME POPULATION, AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OPPORTUNITIES DESIGNED TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TOWARD DEVELOPING HEALTHY SOCIAL NETWORKS.

IN ADDITION, THE ASSOCIATION DELIVERS A WIDE VARIETY OF RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT, PEER SOCIALIZATION, AND ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS AS REQUESTED BY RECIPIENTS OF SERVICES, (I.E., FOOD, CLOTHING, LEGAL AID, ETC.) THE ASSOCIATION'S RECOVERY PROGRAMS ALSO EMPLOY INDIVIDUALS (PEER SPECIALISTS) WHO ARE UNIQUELY QUALIFIED BASED ON THEIR "PERSONAL" EXPERIENCE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TO CONNECT WITH AND SERVE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. PEER SPECIALISTS WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS THROUGH OUR DROP-IN CENTERS, PEER OUTREACH SERVICES, AND CREATING CONNECTIONS PROGRAM, WHICH ARE ALL DESIGNED TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS, IDENTIFY NEEDS, AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE MULTIFACETED NEEDS THAT OUR CLIENT BASE OFTEN PRESENTS WITH.

THE ASSOCIATION'S MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE CENTER - SUNBRIDGE ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS TO ACCESS CARE AND SUPPORT APPROPRIATE TO THEIR NEEDS. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES TWO COMPONENTS: A MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE CENTER AND A PRO BONA COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS. BOTH ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THOSE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE "FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS" TO ACCESS THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE THEY NEED. SUNBRIDGE'S MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE LINE HELPS CALLERS TO NAVIGATE A COMPLEX ARRAY OF SERVICES, PROVIDERS, AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. CALLERS RECEIVE A CONSULTATION WITH A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL WHO ASSISTS THEM IN ACCESSING NEEDS AND ACCESSING APPROPRIATE SERVICES. THE PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION MAY INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING, AS WELL AS GUIDANCE IN REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES SUCH AS COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, OR MEDICATION EVALUATION. INDIVIDUALS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES FROM COMMUNITY PROVIDERS ARE REFERRED TO LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR SHORT-TERM, PRO BONO COUNSELING.CRIMIMAL JUSTICE REFORM IS TASKED WITH ADDRESSING A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES SUCH AS ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH NAVIGATING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO ACCESS APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO AVOID INCARCERATION ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND CREATE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES RESULTING IN BETTER OUTCOMES AND REDUCTION IN COST TO TAXPAYERS. COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS IS A MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS WITHIN TULSA AREA COMMUNITY WHO ALSO STRUGGLE WITH ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION, TRAUMA, AND HISTORIES OF CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS. HARDESTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM WORKS TO MEET THE CURRENT NEEDS OF SPECIAL SERVICES DOCKET PARTICIPANTS, CONDUCT TRAININGS RELATED TO TRAUMA, DE-ESCALATION TECHNIQUES, MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND HOMELESSNESS TO TARGETED AUDIENCES SUCH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY GUARDS. THE PROGRAM WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE RESEARCH PARTNER TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO SCREENING, DATA COLLECTION, INFORMATION SHARING AND PROGRAM EVALUATION AS WELL AS DEVELOPING PROJECTIONS ON COST SAVINGS FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO MAKE A BUSINESS CASE FOR REALLOCATION OF FUNDING. LONG TERM SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN OKLAHOMA CITY AIMS TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHILE PROVIDING WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP ENSURE THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL. CRT IS AN INNOVATIVE, FIRST RESPONDER COLLABORATION PROJECT BETWEEN THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA, TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT (TPD), TULSA FIRE DEPARTMENT (TFD), FAMILY & CHILDREN'S SERVICES (F&CS) AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SERVICES (COPES). CRT IS A 3-PERSON CO-RESPONDER MODEL THAT RESPONDS TO 911- MENTAL HEALTH CALLS, CURRENTLY ON TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 7 P.M. INTENSIVE OUTREACH AND NAVIGATION, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, LAUNCHED IN MAY 2019. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOUSING, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, AND WRAP-AROUND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS (SMI) WHO ARE DISCHARGED FROM THREE CRISIS CENTERS IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOUSING TO PEOPLE WITH SMI WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THUS ENDING THEIR HOMELESSNESS, AND SERVING AS A PLATFORM FROM WHICH THEY CAN PURSUE PERSONAL GOALS AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. THE PROGRAM ALSO WORKS TO REDUCE THE OVERUTILIZATION OF OKLAHOMA CITY'S EMERGENCY SYSTEMS. CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM UNITES INDIVIDUALS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE TO CREATE IMPACT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL TO THE STATE LEVEL WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF INCREASING ACCESS TO AND IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE PROGRAM INCREASES PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND YOUTH/YOUNG ADULT INVOLVEMENT IN THE OKLAHOMA SYSTEMS OF CARE. WE ENSURE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT BY CONNECTING YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO NEEDED SERVICES AND PEER SUPPORTS, AND BY CONVENING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH STAKEHOLDERS TO FACILITATE COLLABORATION AMONGST AGENCIES. COFFEEFIRST IS A COFFEE KIOSK AND TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL ILLNESS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. COFFEE FIRST AIMS TO EQUIP ADULTS IN RECOVERY WITH TRANSFERABLE SKILLS AND BARISTA TRAINING WHILE ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO FUTURE EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE ACQUIREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND LICENSING. THIS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PROVIDES PREMIER QUALITY COFFEE WHILE HOLISTICALLY PRACTICING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH LOCAL PRODUCT SOURCING, ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS, AND A FOCUS ON EMPLOYEE RECOVERY AND EMPOWERMENT. HOUSING TO HOPE YOUTH PROGRAM HELPS YOUTH WITH BOTH DHS AND JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT TRANSITION DURING THOSE CRITICAL YEARS OF 18 TO 25. OUR HOUSING AND CASE MANAGEMENT GUIDE THEM TOWARD LIVING AN INDEPENDENT FULL AND PRODUCTIVE LIFE.RAPID REHOUSING NEW PROGRAM. OUR TEAM PROVIDES MOBILE STREET OUTREACH AND RAPID REHOUSING IN BOTH OKC AND TULSA. THE TEAM SAFELY OUTREACHES INDIVIDUALS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH RESOURCES AND ADVISE THEM ON HOW TO STAY SAFE. RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM HELPS HOUSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT NOT FIT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) DEFINITION OF CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS, BUT WHO NEED TEMPORARY HOUSING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY 80 UNITS, SOME WITHIN ASSOCIATION HOUSING SITES AND OTHERS AT SCATTERED SITES ACROSS TULSA AND OKC.