Are critical mental health services in Tulsa at risk? Recent contract terminations have thrown the future of [[1]] mental health providers into turmoil, creating uncertainty for thousands of residents. This article dives into the situation, exploring the potential impact of these decisions and what it means for access to vital mental health care in Tulsa.
contract Chaos: Tulsa Mental Health Providers Scramble After State Notices
April 12,2025
Three major mental health service providers in Tulsa County are grappling with uncertainty after receiving contract termination notices from the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).The situation has triggered a flurry of responses from state officials and the affected organizations, raising concerns about potential disruptions to vital services.
Sudden Notices spark Alarm
Grand Mental Health, CREOKS Health Services, and Family & Children’s Services were all affected by the notices, which arrived Thursday. The letters indicated that the state’s contracts with Grand Mental Health and CREOKS Health Services would end May 10, 2025. [[1]] The dialog intended for Family & Children’s Services was misdirected, addressed to a former CEO who retired in 2023.
Lawmakers Respond: Mistake or Misunderstanding?
State Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, shared copies of the notices, adding to the growing concern. I’ve been reassured, the House, certainly has been reassured that it’s not the intention of either OMES or the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to claw back or to sever any services,
Lawson said. What I’ve been able to discern from notice that I had seen, which was to one of the three, is that is effective on May 10th.
Adding to the confusion, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, stated that Allie Friesen, commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, called the OMES emails a mistake
during a public meeting. Provenzano said contracts would be renegotiated at the end of the fiscal year in June.
Fast forward to yesterday we thought everything had kind of calmed down and were working toward getting that number and then 3 providers that serve Tulsa got letters saying we’re terminating your contract and so everything got a little chaotic again yesterday but when asked Commissioner Friessen was like this is not true, I don’t know why or how those emails were sent,
Provenzano explained.
State agency Assures Continuity of Care
Allie Friesen,representing Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services,issued a formal statement to address the concerns:
as we navigate these complex and concerning contracting issues,our priority remains clear: protecting access to care for Oklahomans who depend on these services. We are grateful to the Governor for recognizing the critical importance of ensuring a clear path forward for uninterrupted critical mental health services across the state and are grateful for his reiteration that we are not and will not terminate any core service contracts.
Allie Friesen, Oklahoma Department of Mental health and Substance abuse Services
We understand the confusion caused by recent events and are working closely with OMES and our community partners to implement a contractual stopgap. This issue is entirely unrelated to funding gaps or contract optimization. Our commitment to delivering high-quality behavioral health services remains strong as we work toward lasting solutions and operational excellence.
Allie Friesen
Providers Voice Concerns Over Potential Closures
Grand Mental Health expressed significant worry about the potential impact on the 53,000 Oklahomans they serve in Tulsa.
Our first concern is for the over 53,000 Oklahomans served through our Tulsa office who will promptly lose their current mental health and addiction treatment services,
Grand Mental Health
The association highlighted the potential closure of two key facilities:
- Tulsa’s Urgent Recovery Center, which offers crisis intervention and stabilization.
- The state’s largest residential addiction treatment center, also located in Tulsa.
Brent Black, CEO of CREOKS Health services, sought to reassure the community:
It’s vital that the community know that we will continue to provide high-quality care to the Oklahomans who need our services.We are in regular communication with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and feel confident that there will be a positive path forward. From a day-to-day operations perspective, nothing has changed. Our clients count on expert care, which we will deliver with compassion and respect.
Brent Black, CEO, CREOKS Health Services
Despite these assurances, the potential for service disruption remains a concern if funding is not secured or an option plan is not implemented.
Gov. Stitt Addresses Vendor Shifts
When questioned about potential cuts to mental health services,Gov. Stitt framed the issue as a shift in vendor contracts rather than outright cuts. he suggested resources might be redirected from what he termed an abusive vendor
to a different provider.
Looking Ahead: Seeking Resolution
Grand Mental Health indicated its willingness to collaborate with the state to find a solution, with operations expected to continue through May 10. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the long-term impact on mental health services in Tulsa County.
