TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa is expanding its Alternative Response Team, or ART-2 by adding mental health professionals along with Tulsa Fire paramedics. It's a secondary unit that responds to 911 calls downtown to provide medical care without sending a police officer.
City leaders said this will make the team more effective and address a growing problem that has been present within the homeless population since the program began in 2023.
Outside the Tulsa Day Center, 2 News met Douglas Wright, one of the 1400 people in the city living on the streets.
"Everybody over here has some kind of mental health problem," said Wright.
A Tulsa point-in-time study released in June found that nearly 30% of homelessness is caused by mental health struggles.
"Nobody cares about them that much, and it's just a sad thing," said Wright.
Amanda Bradley with Family and Children's Services said they're also changing their services from four days a week to seven days a week.
"We really wanted to figure out how to help with long-term solutions to situations," said Bradley.
Wright said he supported the expansion of ART-2.
"That's a wonderful thing, you know, without them these poor folks wouldn't know what to do," said Wright.
Bradly said once they respond to a call, they will also connect people to resources.
"They do seem to be doing a lot of good, and I'm proud of them," said Wright.
Bradley said that since they started, 60% of their calls needed a mental health professional.
In 2024, 2 News reported the program received $600,000 in funding to continue its service.
"It's amazing what they do for them, it really is, and I'm proud of them," said Wright.
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