TULSA, Okla. — Mayor Monroe Nichols announced the state is cutting $8 million from Tulsa's "critical mental health services and essential public safety programs."
In a post on his official Facebook page, Nichols detailed some of the impacts this cut is going to have on Tulsa:
Today, I learned of the more than $8 million in announced cuts by the State of Oklahoma to critical mental health services and essential public safety programs in Tulsa. This decision will have a devastating impact on our community and undermine the ability of our public safety teams to keep Tulsans safe.
The programs slated for cuts include the Tulsa Police and Tulsa Fire 911 co-response program (COPES), the Family & Children Services Crisis Response Center, the Tulsa Sobering Center, and the GRAND Addiction Recovery Center - all programs that are lifelines for Tulsans in crisis. These services have demonstrated that they not only save lives but also ease the burden on first responders by providing alternatives to jail or emergency rooms when people require specialized care.
I visited with our partners and providers at Family & Children Services and GRAND Mental Health, who operate these life-changing programs for our community, and they were notified this morning of these cuts and are preparing for the devastating consequences. The loss of these programs would mean fewer options for law enforcement, increased strain on our hospitals and jails, and, most troubling, fewer paths to recovery for those who need it most.
It is my hope that the State will act swiftly to ensure that the irresponsible fiscal management by the Department does not lead to the destruction of an already strained system of support services. The consequences of inaction are too high and will be felt in every neighborhood in our city and throughout the entire state of Oklahoma.
Nichols said he only learned of the cuts through officials at the agencies.
"I heard about them, through an organization that had received a letter, which is probably not the best way for us to understand that the whole system is somewhat at risk. Be nice if we could be a little more collaborative," Nichols said.
WATCH: CRITICAL CUTS: Mayor Nichols says Tulsa losing $8M in mental health funds
2 News Oklahoma reached out to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to learn more about the cuts.
A spokesperson sent the following statement.
Our goal is to maximize every budget dollar for the greatest impact and reduce wasteful and redundant spending. We prioritized preventative, as well as those services that meet Oklahomans at their moment of crisis.
Essential services are:
- mental health and substance use prevention
- 24/7 Crisis Continuum (988, Mobile Crisis, Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Centers)
- direct services provided through our state operated facilities
- inpatient psychiatric treatment
- residential substance use treatment services,
- outpatient mental health and substance use treatment
- competency restoration
- criminal justice services
A spokesman for Family and Children's Services, says the agency is facing $4.4 million in cuts.
WATCH: $8M cut from Tulsa mental health agencies
"CrisisCare and COPES programs will experience more than $2.2 million in reductions and eliminations for FY26. In addition, FCS Adult & Children’s programs will see an additional $2.2 million in contract reductions and eliminations, resulting in a $4.4 million impact in total."
A spokesperson for GRAND Mental Health did not provide details to the cuts.
Over the last few years, 2 News covered funding concerns with some of the groups mentioned in the statement:
-
CrisisCare Center faces funding challenges as state cuts funding
Despite the funding cuts, COPES will continue to receive financial support from the state until June. However, the CrisisCare Center will see its $1.7 million annual funding cease on April 17. -
'Very concerned': State cuts funding to critical mental health services in Tulsa
2 News Oklahoma's Emma Burch heard from a child psychologist, who is concerned about resources being cut at COPES. -
'Scary': Former patient worried for future of Tulsa mental health services
Local mental health services face uncertainty after contract notifications. Former client Dustin Bailey stresses the need for support as access to care hangs in the balance. -
Tulsa Sobering Center celebrates first year of operation
The Tulsa Sobering Center on Wednesday celebrated its first year of operation as an alternative for men and women detained for public intoxication.
Grand Mental Health thanked Nichols for his support on their Facebook page when they re-posted his statement.
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