Stitt names retired Admiral Slavonic as interim Mental Health commissioner

Governor Stitt names Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic as Interim Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 3, 2025) -Today, Governor Kevin Stitt named Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic as Interim Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). This comes after the Legislature voted to remove the Governor’s previous appointee in a late-night vote.

“It is no secret that the Department of Mental Health has long been in need of reform,” said Gov. Stitt. “It is imperative that Admiral Slavonic is allowed to do the hard work needed to remove corruption and conflicts of interest without political interference. There are brighter days ahead for this department and those that rely on its services. I’m grateful to Admiral Slavonic for his willingness to set another Oklahoma agency on the right course.”

House Speaker announces Select Committee to review Dep't of Mental Health finances

House Speaker Announces Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 15th) – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced today the formation of a select committee to review the finances at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

Majority Leader Mark Lawson will chair the committee for the House and the following members have been appointed to the committee:

ABSURDITY: OU, state mental-health agency tout 'pregnant people'

What on earth?? Bureacracy (both government and corporate) is absolutely full of people who have lost their minds in the pursuit of the nonsensical woke agenda:

OU, STATE MENTAL-HEALTH AGENCY TOUT ‘PREGNANT PEOPLE’

Ray Carter | March 20, 2024

At a recent summit, officials with the University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) urged greater focus on “pregnant people” with substance-abuse disorders, effectively downgrading the existence of women.

A release about the event, issued by ODMHSAS, was headlined, “State Summit Aims to Break Stigma and Build Support to Aid Pregnant People with Substance Use Disorders and Protect Families.”

The March 11 release stated that one of the goals of attendees was to raise “awareness of and reduce the stigma associated with the circumstances and needs of pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorders.”

Gov. Stitt taps Dr. Corey Finch as Secretary of Health & Mental Health

GOVERNOR STITT TAPS DR. COREY FINCH AS SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 8, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced Dr. Corey Finch as the newest addition to his cabinet, filling the role of Secretary of Health and Mental Health.

“To be a Top Ten state, we need to have a Top Ten health care system,” said Gov. Stitt. “Dr. Finch will bring his experience as a physician and member of the Health Care Authority Board to my cabinet to improve health care outcomes for all four million Oklahomans.”

Allie Friesen tapped as new commissioner for Dep't of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

GOVERNOR STITT TAPS ALLIE FRIESEN AS NEW MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 19, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced Allie Friesen as the new commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

"Allie has been on the frontlines of helping families struggling with mental health disorders for over a decade, and I’m glad to have her on the team," Governor Stitt said. "ODMHSAS serves as an intersection of outreach, advocacy, and lifechanging restoration, and Allie will be the best person to promote our mission of wellness and recovery in Oklahoma."

Former Mental Health Commissioner Terri White co-chairs 'Protect Our Kids NO 820' effort

There seems to have been precious little as far as campaigning for or against the upcoming recreational marijuana state question (unless it's been TV... which I rarely watch). We received our first mailers on the issue in the past week, both of which from the 'Yes' side. I certainly hope the 'No' campaign gets its act together, gets the word out, and that voters reject SQ 820.

Terri White to Co-Chair Protect Our Kids NO 820

Former Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to Lead Coalition with Governor Frank Keating

Citing her expertise in the field, former Governor Frank Keating welcomed Terri White as co-chair of Protect Our Kids NO 820 today.  “Having served in both Democrat and Republican administrations, Terri White knows substance abuse shows no partisan allegiance,” Keating stated.  “I can think of nobody in Oklahoma who knows more about this issue or who has done more to help prevent, treat and defeat the scourge of addiction in our state than Terri White.  I am honored to work with her,” Keating stated.

Sen. Standridge files legislation to protect minors from gender transition medications, surgeries

Sen. Standridge files legislation to protect minors from gender transition medications, surgeries

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed four pieces of legislation to protect minors from life-changing gender transition hormones and surgery that could render them unable to have children as adults.  The bills also allow lawsuits to be filed against health care providers and adults who violate the provisions of these measures.

State Rep. Humphrey responds to Democrats' call for gun control

Humphrey Responds to Democrats' Call to Repeal Gun Laws

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, this week responded to House Democrats who are calling for what they say are responsible public-safety measures by introducing a proposal labeled the Stand Against Violence and Extremism (SAVE) Act. The SAVE Act would repeal existing laws deregulating gun use in Oklahoma and would institute other measures aimed at stopping gun violence.

"The SAVE Act is a completely counterfeit way of robbing all law-abiding Oklahomans of their Second Amendment rights and would increase gun regulations and requirements," Humphrey said. "The SAVE Act would profoundly abandon our existing constitutional rights and strives to repeal anti-red flag laws, permits and concealed carry in public places. Not only do Democrats desire to repeal your rights, but they are on a mission to adopt red flag laws, increase your waiting period for purchasing a firearm and increase the minimum age to purchases a firearm."

Joint committee sends six stimulus funding projects to full Legislature

Joint committee sends six ARPA projects to full Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding on Tuesday advanced the first slate of projects for consideration in the Legislature's upcoming special session on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

House Democrats announce 2022 legislative priorities

Democrats Announce 2022 Legislative Priorities

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The House Democratic Caucus on Wednesday presented their legislative priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session.

The Democratic Caucus highlighted policy initiatives in five primary areas: transparency and accountability, health care, criminal justice, education, and the state economy.

House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, spoke to the intent of Democratic policies and reiterated the caucus’ recent success to elevate ideas focused on Oklahomans. Virgin named the EITC, protecting education funding, and eliminating the state grocery tax as examples. 

“Our goal for the 2022 Session is to provide and support compassionate, common-sense ideas focused on the needs of Oklahomans,” Virgin said. “What you won't find in our priorities are tax credits or cuts to large corporations, legislation that restricts voting rights, or attacks on tribal sovereignty.”

The Democratic Caucus recognized the current lack of transparency in the Capitol and highlighted the caucus’ desire to require the House of Representatives to follow the Open Meetings Act. 

OICA Releases 2020 Children’s Legislative Agenda

OICA Releases 2020 Children’s Legislative Agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) has released its 2020 Children’s Legislative Agenda, a series of public policy goals aimed at improving child well-being in Oklahoma. The Children’s Legislative Agenda was drafted with input from attendees at OICA’s Fall Forum, which included experts from state agencies, foster parents and foster care specialists, summer food program professionals, mental health specialists, concerned citizens, and legislators.

The Agenda focuses on four areas of concern:

At-Risk Youth: Oklahoma must address the very high levels of children experiencing traumatic experiences at an early age and offer greater resources to those who do experience trauma. Oklahoma should increase trauma-informed training for teachers, develop a state plan for counseling within schools that includes social emotional learning standards, expand the DHS school-based service worker program, and implement other policies directed towards providing assistance to low-income families.

Education and Early Childhood Development: Oklahoma must improve student outcomes at every level, including college graduation rates, by laying a stronger educational foundation for very young children. That will necessitate changes such as: providing greater assistance to low-income families seeking high quality childcare, improving teacher pay and benefits in early education classrooms, and expanding access to school-based social workers and school counselors.

Criminal Justice Reform: Oklahoma must allow more families to remain intact by reducing the incarceration rate, emphasizing drug and mental health treatment, and reevaluating fines and fees associated with juvenile justice.

Health and Behavioral Health: Oklahoma must increase access to primary and preventative care as well as mental health services. Oklahoma should maximize all available federal matching funds for health care in Oklahoma, remove barriers to the use of telehealth, increase the number of community health centers and take other steps that will improve Oklahoma’s health and mental health infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural areas.

“The goal of this Children’s Legislative Agenda is to improve living conditions for young people in Oklahoma,” said OICA Board President Mitchell Rozin. “This is not a partisan agenda; it was created at the direction of the men and women who work every day with at-risk youth and struggling families. We urge lawmakers in both parties to work together to help these children and families by implementing these policies. Doing so will help to build a stronger state and a better place to live for all Oklahomans.”

OK Education Dep't receives $1.74M in school safety grants

Hofmeister announces more than $1.7 million in school safety grants

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 24, 2019) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister today announced that the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), in partnership with the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security and its subsidiary, the Oklahoma School Security Institute (OSSI), has received three federal grants of more than $1.7 million to strengthen safety, security and mental health initiatives in public schools statewide.

“For students to learn, they must first feel safe,” said Hofmeister. “These grants will support violence prevention efforts in our schools. By working to keep schools safe, we are giving kids the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential in a positive learning environment.”

“The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, through our Oklahoma School Security Institute, have for many years worked closely to make schools safe and secure for our youth,” said Kim Carter, director of the institute. “These grants will allow both of our agencies to strengthen our partnership and to provide more resources than ever before to accomplish that mission.” 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) awarded OSDE $996,855 over the next three years to create and train a state Crisis Team. The team will consist of two new state-level positions – a licensed school counselor and a school psychologist plus a Strike Team of 20 existing OSDE employees. The Crisis Team will be deployed during school emergencies and provide guidance to schools on identifying students who may need additional behavioral health supports or mental health interventions.

In a second grant, OSDE received $498,915 to hire a full-time anti-bullying program specialist to implement school-based prevention and intervention strategies and support Oklahoma parents whose children have been victims of bullying. The grant will also fund a regional representative to assist school districts in completing a risk and vulnerability assessment. This specialist will be housed at OSSI.

The DOJ also awarded OSDE with $250,000 over the next three years to implement a mobile phone app that will allow for real-time anonymous reporting of violence and threats. This app will work in conjunction with the Oklahoma Fusion Center’s telephone tip line, which has received a low volume of calls since 2014 and none from students. The new phone app will allow for anonymous, two-way communication, images and video to be sent 24 hours a day.

“In order for students to flourish, they must be able to focus on their studies without the threat of aggression or violence,” said Hofmeister. “If students don’t feel comfortable going to school, they may put their academic future at risk. We must do everything in our power to ensure student safety and are grateful for the opportunities these grants provide.”

Senate confirms Steven Buck as OJA director

Senate confirms Steven Buck as OJA director

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Steven Buck of Oklahoma City as the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Buck is the first agency director confirmed by the Senate under the terms of new laws that give the governor the ability to hire and fire the heads of OJA and four other top state agencies.

“Oklahoma has come a long way in improving the care and treatment of children in state custody thanks to the work of leaders like Steven Buck. He’s proven himself an honest and dedicated public servant as director of OJA the past few years and I know he’ll continue to do an excellent job in that capacity moving forward. Steven Buck is a great partner for policymakers and I look forward to working with him to continuing to ensure the children in custody get the care and treatment they need to acclimate and become productive members of society,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Buck was nominated for reappointment as director of OJA by Governor Kevin Stitt earlier this month. He also was named cabinet secretary of human services and early childhood initiatives by the governor.

“Steven Buck has had a long and distinguished career advocating for the treatment and care of some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens. He’s done a great job already at OJA and I know he’ll keep moving that agency in the right direction,” said Senator Jason Smalley, R-Stroud and chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

On Wednesday, the Senate also confirmed Jerome Loughridge of Oklahoma City as the governor’s cabinet secretary of health and mental health.