Launch of New Approach to Mental Health
The City Council approved a budget action to launch a new mobile unit to close a critical gap in Tulsa’s mental health treatment system.
A Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team supports community members with serious mental illness who repeatedly experience homelessness, hospitalization and involvement with the justice system. These individuals often cycle through emergency rooms, shelters and jails because traditional treatment options cannot meet their complex needs.
This investment is part of a three‑year model designed to demonstrate measurable outcomes to help secure future private funding. Year one of the program is funded through $441,084 from the Allergan Opioid Settlement, developed with the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, and will be implemented by Family and Children’s Services.
Through the intervention of the FACT Team, the City also aims to reduce costs to taxpayers by helping those with severe mental health needs avoid unnecessary emergency room and inpatient hospitalization, and repeated law enforcement responses.
Discussions on the need for a FACT Team began as part of the annual budget approval process. This budget amendment is a result of those conversations.
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