Starting November 1, 2023, Law enforcement may still provide transportation to individuals in need of initial assessment, emergency detention or protective custody from the initial point of contact to the nearest appropriate facility within a thirty (30) mile radius of their operational headquarters, unless the law enforcement uses their mobile device to get the individual assessed at the the initial point of contact. If the individual is assessed and is determined to need mental health treatment, then an ODMHSAS contracted transportation vendor can come pick up the individual and transport them to the nearest facility. See 43A O.S. §1-110 and §5-207.
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.
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
The transport vendor should respond within ninety (90) minutes. The vendor shall make every effort to arrive within sixty (60) minutes of notification for transport. If the response time is in excess of one hundred and twenty (120) minutes, an ODMHSAS representative or contracted agency must approve the extension.
Transportation providers must be trained in the following:
- Obligations under 43A O.S. §1-110 and §5-207
- Client rights
- Therapeutic Options, or similar curriculum as approved by ODMHSAS
- CPR/First Aid
- HIPAA and Confidentiality
The ODMHSAS is not currently seeking additional providers. For potential employment opportunities with existing vendors, please contact providers directly to inquire about availability.
The most common reason for a transportation request to not successfully submit is that the information provided did not indicate the individual was eligible for transport. For example, if you did not indicate that a treatment bed has been confirmed the transportation request will not submit. Additionally, you must indicate that the individual has met criteria for inpatient psychiatric care as defined by Oklahoma statute 43A. Lastly, the person must not require medical evaluation at an emergency room prior to transport.
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.
