Children's Mental Health Initiative

In October 2023, the City of Tulsa was awarded a federal grant through Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with a goal to “improve the mental health outcomes for children and youth, birth through age 21, at risk for or with serious emotional disturbances (SED), and their families.”

Mission: To develop the highest quality family and youth-driven mental health care system

Vision: All Tulsa children and youth will have high-quality mental health care that is focused on the family and youth needs

The grant efforts began immediately by creating partnerships with local mental health providers and community organizations to begin the expansion project. The City of Tulsa plans to expand the System of Care efforts to align the needs of Tulsa citizens.

The impact of Tulsa Children’s Mental Health Initiative

• 450 Tulsa children with SED / SMI will be screened, assessed, and provided services through the Tulsa Children’s Mental Health Initiative.
• The Tulsa CMHI is building relationships and listening to those impacted the most by creating partnerships and building advisory groups to contribute and provide youth and family voice
• High-quality training programming is being developed to launch a city-wide effort to increase evidence-based training for the child-serving agencies
• Outreach efforts are increasing to educate and connect those who need services with those who provide services
• Data is being gathered to draw an accurate picture of the needs and gaps in services