Mental Health Department plans contract cuts to service providers

Steve Metzer

Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY — Many providers of drug treatment and other mental health services in Tulsa and across the state have been notified of plans made by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to eliminate their contracts or cut funding for certain services.

Providers, such as GRAND Mental Health , received letters dated Aug. 29 notifying them of cuts. In an emailed statement, the chief executive officer of GRAND, Josh Cantwell, said leaders are trying to assess how to best respond to mitigate effects.

“While we understand the Department’s need to adjust for budget purposes, we are currently engaged with ODMHSAS leadership to better understand and navigate through these contract changes,” Cantwell said.

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