FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
OKLAHOMA CITY, NOV 14, 2023 — In September of 2022, SB19xx was passed which allocated nearly $30.6M of Oklahoma’s funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to pass through the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) to support capital improvements at eighteen of Oklahoma’s designated Youth Service Agencies across the state. These federal funds have been a vital resource in jump starting critical infrastructure projects that had been deferred for many years in favor of utilizing the limited financial resources available for programmatic investments.
The funds allocated to OJA for distribution were championed by the co-chairs of the ARPA Human Services subcommittee, Senator John Haste (R-Tulsa) and Representative Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow). Both legislators were instrumental in advocating the value of these projects.
“We appreciate Senator Haste and Representative Hilbert for their leadership, ensuring critical investment in the community’s wellbeing through these funds,” said OJA Executive Director Jeffrey Cartmell.
Funding first became accessible in late January of this year and many partners wasted no time putting the dollars to work, including Oklahoma County’s Youth Service Agency, Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth.
“Our apartments were constructed in the early 2000s and were in need of a serious refresh,” said CEO & President of Pivot Jennifer Goodrich. “Thanks to these ARPA funds, we were able to completely renovate and spruce up the space for the first time. Opportunities like ARPA allow us to continue providing the best support and facilities for the young people we serve.”
###
Photos of the remodeled interiors are attached above.
