A City of Norman and Mental Health Association Oklahoma collaborative Program
Norman City Council recently approved a contract with Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) that will establish a new community program intended to provide employment opportunities and social services targeted toward individuals experiencing homelessness in Norman. The program, dubbed “A Better Way – Opportunity Knocks” and partly funded through Opioid Settlement funds, is set to begin in mid-May.
“This daily work and wrap-around service program is multi-faceted and includes an initial one-year term,” said AshLynn Wilkerson, assistant city attorney for the City of Norman. “After a request-for-proposals process, MHAOK was selected as the top candidate to administer this program which has a focus on serving those at risk of or experiencing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and mental health conditions.”
The focus of the program was constructed in accordance with terms and approved purposes of the Distributors Oklahoma Settlement Agreement that the City is bound by, Wilkerson explained.
Under this program, a City-owned van will operate three days per week, transporting up to eight participants per day from various locations for day labor beautification initiatives. Priority for participation will be given first to individuals experiencing or recovering from OUD, SUD, and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. Participants will be brought to predetermined City-owned sites to perform the beautification tasks, such as litter removal. The program was implemented after being studied at other municipalities in and out of state.
“Individuals who participate will receive wages for their labor, meals, and opportunities for engagement with a case manager and employment specialist who will offer wrap-around social services, connections to care, and employment support,” said Michele Loudenback, who serves as City liaison of the program and as manager of the Division of Environmental Resilience and Sustainability. “Additionally, the case manager and employment specialist will have flexibility to interact with participants outside the scheduled work activities, facilitating services in public spaces and other convenient locations.”
A wrapped van, bearing the program name as well as logos for associated agencies, will be unveiled for the community at a public event on May 9. At that time, more information about the program will be shared and relevant updates will continue to be posted to Normanok.gov.
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