OJA expanding access to mental health care for young Oklahomans made possible through ARPA-SLFRF

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) would like to recognize its partners at the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) for their progress at Pivot in expanding access to youth counseling services with the opening of the newly renovated Goodrich Counseling Center.

The state Legislature allocated $30,672,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-SLFRF) to OJA to address education disparities through academic, social and emotional services to the youth of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Association of Youth Services (OAYS) includes 18 entities with active projects, including Pivot. According to Jennifer Goodrich, president and CEO of Pivot, nearly $1.2 million of the allotted amount has been disbursed to OJA for the renovations to the counseling center.

Pivot works with individuals ages 12-24, who are often homeless or at risk of being homeless, alone or disengaged. One way they support the youth in Oklahoma is through Pivot’s comprehensive counseling services. The need for quality mental health care skyrocketed due to the rise in mental health and substance abuse issues following the COVID-19 pandemic. Pivot alone has seen a 30% increase in the number of individuals served in counseling services and a 28% increase in those served in substance abuse services.

Pivot’s counseling services provide support for youth and families as they navigate the often-turbulent waters of growing up in today’s world. Their licensed therapists provide assessments, crisis intervention, mentoring, and individual, family and group counseling to address issues such as abuse and trauma, depression and anxiety, grief, substance abuse, and unlawful behavior.

The nonprofit is dedicated to making a long-term impact on the lives of marginalized youth. With the assistance of ARPA-SLFRF funds for the Goodrich Counseling Center, Pivot can now serve more young people and make a broader impact than ever before.

“You can help someone graduate high school and get them a job, but until you address their internal trauma, it won’t help,” said Goodrich. “Counseling is at the heart of everything that we do.”

The counseling center was originally a cluster of offices, with two to three people per office. Last year, they provided counseling services to 523 young people. The need for more space has been significant due to the increasing cases of mental health and substance abuse issues. With the expansion of the center, Pivot can house more workspaces for counselors and case managers. This expansion will not only increase the number of people served but also have a direct impact on the lives of Oklahoma’s youth.

The results speak for themselves, with 99% of clients having their basic needs assessed and those deficits (food, clothing, hygiene, transportation) met within the first 48 hours of referral or intake to the program. Additionally, 81% of clients achieved progress toward at least one counseling or service plan treatment goal.

While counseling is crucial, Pivot also provides other services for impacted individuals. This includes housing, education and job assistance, prevention and intervention services, and psychological services.

Pivot and OJA’s use of ARPA-SLFRF funds to address the need for more comprehensive mental health care for the youth of Oklahoma is a testament to the work they are doing to build a brighter future for the young people of today. This collaborative effort aims to build a brighter future for young people by diverting them away from the justice system and addressing the root of the problem rather than the effects.

“Any time you can open up capacity, you are able to serve more people which can serve our community more at large,” said Goodrich of the impact of Pivot's partnership with OJA on Oklahoma. “This has given us an opportunity to become better partners with OJA and having their support shows the community that private and public entities can work together for the greatest impact.”

OJA takes a proactive approach to help young people get access to services like those provided through Pivot, enabling these youth to effectively face the challenges of adulthood. By equipping Oklahoma’s youth with the necessary tools to engage in employment and educational opportunities, they can reap the benefits of these opportunities and build a better future for themselves and future generations. OMES commends OJA for their progress in expanding services for marginalized youth.

For more information, check out Pivot’s website.

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Provide excellent service, expert guidance and continuous improvement in support of our partners’ goals. For more information, visit oklahoma.gov/omes.

The Grants Management Office (GMO) is the central administering entity of the American Rescue Plan Act's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (ARPA-SLFRF) for the State of Oklahoma. Our team builds partnerships and collaborates with state agencies by providing guidance on the implementation and use of ARPA-SLFRF dollars. Our goal is to be a supportive partner to agencies to help them accomplish their ARPA-SLFRF project goals. For more information on the state’s ARPA-SLFRF progress, visit oklahoma.gov/arpa.

Christa Helfrey | Public Information Officer
Christa.Helfrey@omes.ok.gov