Latest news with #MentalHealthAssociation
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norman is partnering with Mental Health Association to prevent homelessness. How will it work?
Amid increased homelessness issues in Norman, the city is partnering with a Tulsa-based nonprofit to expand a new initiative that would connect members of the unhoused with employment opportunities and supportive housing. Mental Health Association Oklahoma, a longtime organization tackling mental health issues, announced the initiative 'A Better Way – Opportunity Knocks' in Norman on May 9. The program, being funded by Norman's opioid settlement funding, is meant to address substance abuse and prevent overdoses by engaging with the local homeless population directly at encampments and shelters. Participants are offered a two-week program that would involve a daily meal and compensation for a day's work. Cash payment would be provided at the end of each shift, and after completing the program, staff will connect the participant with a case manager to help them access housing resources, permanent job placements, behavioral health care and other wraparound services. Carrie Blumert, CEO of Mental Health Association and a former Oklahoma County commissioner, said the start of the Norman program represented the nonprofit's first expansion outside of its headquartered facilities in Tulsa and the Lottie House in Oklahoma City. 'Something that we pride ourselves on at Mental Health Association is we say we're boots on the ground,' Blumert said. 'We go to where people are. We will go under a bridge. We will go to someone on a street corner and engage with them and build trust with them and get them access to services.' More: Homeless people in Oklahoma want jobs. It's easier said than done | Opinion The initial 'Better Way' program launched in Tulsa in 2018 and has seen success over the years. According to Mental Health Association officials, Tulsa participants have collected more than 8,000 bags of litter over the last seven years while working with beautification projects in Tulsa's parks and other public spaces. Last year, 67 participants in Tulsa transitioned into long-term, full-time work, and between January and August 2024, at least 14 people moved from the streets into stable housing. Elements of a similar approach with providing supportive services for the unhoused population also have seen demonstrable success in Oklahoma City, with the Key to Home Partnership's Encampment Rehousing Initiative. Mental Health Association Oklahoma is among dozens of partner agencies for that program, which has so far housed at least 355 people since 2023. Related: As homeless demographics change, Point In Time count informs where services most needed But issues with homelessness have become a flashpoint of debate in Norman. Last year's Point-in-Time Count in Cleveland County found 240 people experiencing homelessness, with at least 91 sleeping outdoors, an increase of 23% from the 2023 survey. A recent controversial bill from Lisa Standridge, a state senator representing Norman, proposed zoning restrictions prohibiting new homeless shelters from being approved within 3,000 feet of a school, public library, city park or child day care facilities in cities with fewer than 300,000 residents. The bill died in the House in April. Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila, who will leave office on July 1, had supported Standridge's bill because he said the city lacked enough financial resources to adequately support the homeless population. Similarly, he said the city's 'Better Way' initiative had been in the works for more than two years but was delayed largely due to issues with securing funding. But the city's opioid settlement funds, being paid out over 18 years, helped finally make the program a reality. ''A Better Way – Opportunity Knocks' is more than just a program; it's a call to action,' Heikkila said. 'Through these work opportunities and direct access to services, this program offers a path for those who are ready to take personal responsibility for their future. This program is also a reflection of our willingness to think creatively about real funding solutions, and by strategically using resources such as opioid settlement funds, we are turning the damage done by a national crisis into an opportunity for local healing and long-term impact.' More: Oklahoma bill aims to prevent Norman from using city funds for a homeless shelter, author says Mental Health Association staff and Norman officials celebrated the new partnership during a May launch event in downtown Norman. Michele Loudenback, the city's environmental and sustainability manager, said residents can expect to see a van branded with 'A Better Way' logos roving the streets by June 1. 'It's just been a process of fine-tuning the program and finding the funding,' Loudenback said. 'And we've had quite a bit of conflict between business owners and some advocates in the community, and I think all cities have this tension, so I think this is also going to be a great way to ease some of that conflict, too, and bring that connection so that people can see each other.' This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma nonprofit, Norman partner on homelessness initiative
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GOP budget bill sparks healthcare concerns
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)— U.S. House Republicans have sent a budget plan blueprint to passage but many are concerned. The new budget resolution includes $4.5 trillion in tax breaks as well as $2 trillion in cuts to spending. The resolution narrowly passed the floor yesterday, with 217 votes for and 215 against. President Trump approves of this new bill. The , tasked with overseeing the budget that includes Medicaid, is asked to find $880 billion in savings. The committee won't have a lot of wiggle room if they are going to make massive cuts. Critics are afraid that the bill could end up chopping the programs funding by billions over the next 10 years. This would affect the more than 2 and a half million Michigan residents who rely on Medicaid as of last year, and many of them are dealing with mental illness. Local mental health advocates fear some people will lose their independence. 'Services called community living supports, which provides staffing to individuals so they can live in their own home or apartment, independently… these proposed cuts could really interfere with the ability of our state to continue to fund those unique services,' said Marianne Huff, President and CEO of Mental Health Association in Michigan. The Mental Health Association tells 6 News that they are concerned about where people with mental illness will turn if they lose Medicaid coverage, fearing nursing homes aren't fully equipped to deal with certain mental illnesses. Mental illness care services are not the programs that may see cuts as a result of this new budget plan. The (MOASH) is worried they might not be able to keep providing their services much longer. Taryn Gal, Executive Director of MOASH, says they have already felt the impact of federal funding freezes earlier this month. They say potential cuts are making it impossible to plan for the future. Gal says youths may lose access to vital sex education if the proposed budget cuts are approved. 'Youth will not have access to the information we are now able to provide… This includes knowing about their bodies, their rights, how to identify healthy relationships,' said Gal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
