Thanks to a unanimous vote by the Bartlesville City Council on Monday, the Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) Outreach Program will continue into its second year — powered by $120,000 in funding from the State’s Fiscal Year 2024 Opioid Abatement Grant.
The council renewed its partnership with Grand Mental Health (GMH), which has been instrumental in the program’s success. GMH provides two peer recovery support specialists who work alongside the Bartlesville Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Teams and the Parks and Pathfinder program.
“These two team members assist with outreach services to create a pathway from homelessness to treatment to housing for Bartlesville individuals experiencing homelessness, opioid addiction, and at risk for unintentional overdose, particularly those who have set up encampments along Pathfinder Parkway,” said Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry.
In its first year, the RSS Outreach Program delivered:
- Immediate access to GMH’s Urgent Recovery and Addiction Recovery Centers
- Housing navigation and rental support for individuals exiting inpatient treatment
- Consistent outreach and follow-up services for vulnerable residents
The Council also reviewed the program’s impact from February to August 2025:
- 265+ successful contacts
- 445+ homeless follow-ups
- 39 individuals provided with opiate education and narcan
- Multiple individuals placed in stable housing, assisted with move-in and provided ongoing support
- Numerous clients connected to residential or outpatient services
- Only one law enforcement response needed in July and August combined
“Since its launch in early 2025, the RSS Outreach Program has evolved into an essential partner for the City of Bartlesville,” said Ickleberry. “The team is not only meeting immediate community needs but also addressing long-term solutions to homelessness, substance use, and public safety. Their consistent follow-up, strong rapport, and ability to reduce the burden on police services demonstrate the program’s lasting value.”
Funding for the second year of the program will be provided via the Opioid Abatement Grant, totaling $120,000.