Behavioral Health services for community increased, funded through City of Norman and Virtue Center partnership

Free education and awareness programs, the expanding of outpatient treatment services for neighbors affected by addiction, and the training of local therapists in evidence-based treatment modalities have advanced and been made possible this year by grant funding totaling $190,000 - made available by the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board - for The Virtue Center applied for through the City of Norman.

"Partnerships like this drive our community forward and allow agencies to work together to better fill in gaps of service," said City Manager Darrel Pyle.

After a Request for Proposal process, final components of this initiative were approved by Norman City Council in July and then officially confirmed through the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General in September. Funds originate through the State of Oklahoma, by way of the Political Subdivisions Opioid Abatement Grants Act, and are directed through the City to the approved Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse partner: The Virtue Center. This local nonprofit shares a mission of serving as a "place of hope and healing" for those facing addiction and mental health challenges. The organization has offered services in Norman since 1972.

An agreement between the City of Norman and The Virtue Center outlined responsibilities of both parties, as well as approved purposes for the funding and required reporting by the recipient. To be awarded the grant funding, City staff worked alongside staff at The Virtue Center to complete an implementation plan, organize a project budget and register in the State's supplier portal.

"This funding exists for the promotion and protection of the health of Oklahomans through abating the effects of the Opioid Epidemic," said AshLynn Wilkerson, Assistant City Attorney of the City of Norman. "Our team appreciates the opportunity to coordinate with The Virtue Center on this project to help those impacted by addiction across our community."

Teresa Collado, Executive Director of The Virtue Center, shared gratitude for the collaborative effort as well.

"We are pleased to be working with The City of Norman to address the crisis of opioid use," Collado said. "On a micro level, their support is helping The Virtue Center provide opioid-specific treatment services to people and families struggling with this addiction. On a macro level, we will provide awareness and education to the community and engage community stakeholders in finding solutions. The collaboration with the City and the community will be a powerful effort to save lives and improve our quality of life in Norman."

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