Good options & bold steps reducing system involvement.


Every day, hundreds of individuals with treatable behavioral health needs cycle through local courts and jails, known as high-utilizers. The Vera Institute defines those who have been booked within the jail 6 or more times in the last 3 years as high-utilizers.

OKC can now turn to Opt Up for assertive, court-based, and jail-based treatment. The Opt Up Project gives individuals immediate access to stabilizing treatment engagement services. These services ultimately reduce the individuals’ interaction with the criminal legal system.
A boy and two girls sitting outside and smiling

Opt Up also delivers behavioral health rehabilitation, case management, transitional housing assistance, and specialized employment opportunities.

Opt Up is a project of HOPE Community Services which offers URC, transitional living, a pharmacy, and individual placement and support through specialized employment.

Giving someone the chance to Opt Up means they get to access the tools they need to achieve victories that will change their lives, no matter how big or small.

Opt Up means to celebrate every single step in a positive direction. From taking mental health medication and navigating the public transit system to finding employment and obtaining a GED—Opt Up is dedicated to the 1% better, whatever it may look like for the client. HOPE celebrates their clients through every aspect of recovery.

“We are their support system and their safe place. No victory is too small to celebrate.”

–Stephanie, HOPE Employee

Associated Services from Hope:

  • URC – HOPE’s Urgent Recovery Center (URC) is a place of stabilization providing an emergency assessment and intensive support for adult individuals experiencing a behavioral health or substance use crisis. With a goal of resolving the immediate crisis and stabilizing at the lowest level possible, services may also include meals/showers, detox screening, case management/peer services, and emergency medication. The URC is located at 8125 S. Walker Ave. and is staffed 24/7/365 with a multidisciplinary team of behavioral health care professionals.
  • Transitional Living – Our Transitional Living Program aims to assist participants with their recovery, provide a stable living environment, offer and encourage community integration, and enhance and/or restore daily living skills. The Compass Program, HOPE’s Transitional Living Program, is grouped apartments/residential setting with staff available 24 hours as needed, but not 24 hour on site supervision.
  • Pharmacy- HOPE’s full functioning, onsite Pharmacy is open Monday-Friday and has been providing prescriptions and medication to our consumers and community for over 10 years. The pharmacy collaborates with Hope’s in-house providers and med clinic to provide the best level of care to our consumers.
  • Individual Placement/Support (specialized employment)- HOPE’s IPS (Individual Placement/Support) team helps our consumers who want to achieve gainful employment or go back to school, do so. IPS is a zero barrier, client preference program. Not only are the employment specialists present in treatment teams, the IPS team goes out into the community and builds relationships with employers, as well. If you know someone who is a HOPE consumer who may benefit from these services, have them speak to their case manager about it.

FAQs

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO A HARM REDUCTION MODEL?

Harm reduction is an approach to substance use which views the issue as one of public health rather than one of a criminal nature. Through treatment of substance use and related behavioral health disorders, individuals improve daily functioning, thereby reducing harm to themselves and their communities. The impact on communities is direct, resulting in significant decreases in law enforcement contact and utilization of emergency medical services. Harm reduction strategies have also been proven to reduce legal system involvement, inpatient hospitalizations, and increase employment and housing sustainability.

HOW ARE PARTICIPANTS REFERRED?

Opt Up participants are referred by detention center staff, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other court personnel. Eligible participants include those with known history of alcohol or drug abuse, extreme poverty, homelessness, or mental health related needs will be eligible for participation in Opt Up when they are currently or facing criminal charges related for any of the following municipal offense(s): a.) Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia or Drug Possession b) Trespassing c.) Disorderly Conduct d.) Destruction of Property* (further review needed) e.) Misdemeanor Larceny* (further review needed) f.) Prostitution g. ) Public Intoxication h.) Assault & Battery* (further review needed) **NOTE: Offense must be related to an unmet behavioral health need otherwise a person is ineligible to participate.**

WHAT IS A HIGH UTLIZER?

A high-utilizer is someone who has been booked in the jail 6 or more times in the last 3 years. This definition comes from the Vera Institute of Justice.

WHY IS IT MUNICIPAL COURT CHARGES?

There are limited resources for this population due to the nature of their offenses.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CRIMINAL CASE?

Participation in Opt Up does not guarantee a certain outcome on the participants case, however, Opt Up case managers will provide advocacy to the courts.

WHAT IF SOMEONE IS ARRESTED FOR A MUNICIPAL CHARGE BUT THEY ALSO HAVE STATE CHARGES?

While the basis for someone entering Opt Up is their municipal charge, with approval from the participant, Opt Up case managers can provide support and advocacy for their state charges, including but not limited to providing updates on an individual’s status in Opt Up.

ARE REFERRALS ONLY LIMITED TO THOSE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE?

At this time yes, however, if someone is having a mental health crisis, or experiencing some other behavioral health crisis, please call 988 or reach out to HOPE’s main line to inquire about services through one of HOPE’s other programs.

CAN SOMEONE BE ORDERED TO DO OPT UP?

No, Opt Up is a voluntary program, however, judge or other court personnel can make a referral to the program.