Advocacy

When Should You Contact Your State Legislators? Early & Often.

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For Oklahomans who care deeply about improving outcomes for our neighbors, especially those experiencing homelessness or mental illness, recent news has been hard to hear. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services recently announced $40 million in cuts to service providers, ending nearly 300 contracts with organizations statewide. Just days later, Governor […]

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A Fresh Start: Charan Apartments Renovated to Support Housing Stability in Tulsa

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At Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK), a cornerstone of our mission is to provide clean, safe, and affordable housing for individuals and families in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Today, MHAOK owns and manages more than 1,300 rental units—about a quarter of which are home to people engaged in our programming. Thanks to a generous grant

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Rapid Response team in the field

Housing, Not Handcuffs: A Call to Rethink ‘Operation SAFE’

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Last week, Governor Stitt announced Operation SAFE (Swift Action for Families Everywhere)—a new initiative aimed at Tulsa’s unhoused population. The plan enacts 64 OK Stat § 1097, a statute created through the passage of State Bill 1854 in 2024, which restricts camping on state-owned land. Through Operation SAFE, Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers will issue warnings

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MHAOK and other Key to Home partner agencies conduct OKC’s annual Point-In-Time Count

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For most of today, partner agencies across Oklahoma City, including Mental Health Association Oklahoma, are putting their boots on the ground to conduct its annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, an essential initiative aimed at providing a snapshot of homelessness in the community. At 3:00 a.m. well over 100 hyper-caffeinated volunteers bundled up to kick off the

MHAOK and other Key to Home partner agencies conduct OKC’s annual Point-In-Time Count Read More »

The Importance of Shelters and Outreach Teams in Oklahoma

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Drop-In Centers, Homelessness, Street Medicine, Street Outreach /

Homelessness: By the Numbers  One week from today, partner agency staff across Oklahoma City – including MHAOK – will gather at 3:30 a.m., divide into groups of six and head out into hidden corners of the city to count as many people experiencing homelessness as we can find. The same count will take place in

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Celebrating BIPOC Mental Health Month

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Dictated by circumstance, Bebe Moore Campbell’s legacy is strong and it is necessary. She was an author, a journalist, a teacher. Moore was also a tireless advocate for mental health. Just now, just in this modernizing world are we opening up more about mental health struggles and fostering dialogue around what life with mental illness

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House Bill 1031X introduces three new programs to incentivize affordable housing statewide

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Homelessness, Housing, Street Outreach /

Imagine a bridge.  One side of it is rickety, precarious. The area on that side of the bridge is derelict, but most don’t know it because most don’t see it. It could be hidden by trees or dilapidated structures, or it could go unseen simply because so many people don’t know or care to look.

House Bill 1031X introduces three new programs to incentivize affordable housing statewide Read More »