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RideCARE is a regionally based alternative transportation service in the ODMHSAS Comprehensive Crisis Response system for those experiencing mental health crisis. RideCARE works with the 988 Mental Health Lifeline to transport individuals to Urgent Recovery Centers, Crisis Centers, and other treatment facilities to accomodate whatever services are required on the path to recovery.

The ODMHSAS works in partnership with local transportation vendors to provide an “alternative transportation” service that fundamentally transforms how children and adults requiring inpatient psychiatric treatment are transported to higher levels of treatment settings.

In years past, most individuals who needed inpatient treatment were placed in a law enforcement vehicle and handcuffed, even though most individuals committed no crime.

Now, alternative transportation vendors contracting with the ODMHSAS provide transportation services using unmarked vehicles with specially trained drivers to securely assist individuals with getting to the nearest treatment facility.

The result of this change moves Oklahoma toward a person-centered approach to treatment and help de-stigmatize mental health and addiction disorders.

Providing safe and secure transportation that is trauma informed and focused on the individuals’ engagement in recovery treatment is the ultimate goal of this systems transformation.

The ODMHSAS works within the existing regionally based infrastructure to help facilitate the dispatch of the transport service for those in need of acute psychiatric treatment. To request transport services, please refer to the below decision tree and color coordinated map to contact your local RideCARE Partner.

crisis response decision tree graphic
crisis response decision tree graphic

Learn more about this process in an interview with David Roberts, the CEO of one of our transportation partners, OK RideCARE.

RideCARE Regions

CREOKS Service Areas:
918-216-4999

OK RideCARE:
1-800-690-4305

Grand Lake Mental Health Service Area:
1-800-722-3611

Tulsa County
Over 30 Miles: Harmon Security 
918-409-2639

Under 30 Miles: OK RideCARE 1-800-690-4305

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: If you are experiencing crisis, please call the designated RideCARE provider for your region as detailed here. The RideCARE FAQ form is not intended for crisis response.

We are grateful to all our partners including Governor Stitt, state legislature, law enforcement officers, hospitals, and the numerous community stakeholders involved helping to make this transition successful. With any major system change, we anticipate opportunities to learn and improve upon along the way. We thank you in advance as we all transition toward a better way to support the mental health and overall well-being of all Oklahomans. 

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