TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Several major mental health service providers in Green Country, including GRAND Mental Health, were left blindsided this week after receiving unexpected notices of contract termination from the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The sudden move has sparked confusion and concern among providers, with many questions still unanswered.
Josh Cantwell, CEO of GRAND Mental Health, which serves thousands of Oklahomans, said the notice came without warning.
“Before receiving the email on April 10, we had no previous conversation about this,” Cantwell said. “Virtually out of the blue, we received that correspondence.”
In addition to GRAND Mental Health, the same notice was reportedly sent to other providers such as CREOKS and Family & Children’s Services. The termination is scheduled to take effect on May 10. However, Cantwell emphasized that there’s been no clear explanation from OMES as to whether the notice was legitimate or sent in error.
Cantwell noted that while the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) has acknowledged the notice may have been sent erroneously, OMES has not yet clarified the situation.
“We’ve had some good communications with the Department of Mental Health, who’s been very clear that this went out erroneously,” Cantwell said. “But we haven’t received notification from OMES that this was a mistake. For us, the most important thing is that there’s no disruption in services.”
The OMES told NewsChannel 8 in a statement:
It is the state’s job to ensure that all contracts prioritize accountability and transparency. We are committed to being good partners with all agencies as we navigate the state’s procurement processes.
ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen also issued a statement, saying the ODMHSAS is working to resolve the issue.
As we navigate these complex and concerning contracting issues, our priority remains clear: protecting access to care for Oklahomans who depend on these services. We are grateful to the Governor for recognizing the critical importance of ensuring a clear path forward for uninterrupted critical mental health services across the state and are grateful for his reiteration that we are not and will not terminate any core service contracts.
We understand the confusion caused by recent events and are working closely with OMES and our community partners to implement a contractual stopgap. This issue is entirely unrelated to funding gaps or contract optimization. Our commitment to delivering high-quality behavioral health services remains strong as we work toward lasting solutions and operational excellence.
Oklahoma House Majority Leader Mark Lawson expressed hope that the issue stems from miscommunication.
“I’m hoping that there was simply some miscommunication about perhaps the timing of these, [and] what the plan is moving forward,” Lawson said. “There’s certainly an expectation and a hope that we continue to deliver mental health services in the greater Tulsa metro area, certainly through the fiscal year.”
CREOKS released a statement confirming they are also in communication with ODMHSAS to resolve the issue:
It’s important that the community know that we will continue to provide high-quality care to the Oklahomans who need our services. We are in regular communication with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and feel confident that there will be a positive path forward. From a day-to-day operations perspective, nothing has changed. Our clients count on expert care, which we will deliver with compassion and respect.
Cantwell emphasized the importance of these services to the community.
“We’re talking about people that won’t receive treatment that will die of overdoses,” he said. “We’re talking about people that will die from unmet mental health needs. And we’re talking about people who will continue to get sicker.”
Despite the uncertainty, Cantwell reassured the public that GRAND Mental Health is continuing operations as usual and remains committed to serving the community while they work to gain clarity from state officials.