THE CHEROKEE NATION TOURS THE COUNTRY TO RECONNECT TO TRIBAL MEMBERS.

>> TO BRING THOSE SERVICES OUT HERE IS I THINK AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO PEOPLE.

IT LET'S THEM KNOW WE ARE CONNECTED TO THEM, THAT WE CARE.

>> A PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY AT OSU TO CONNECT NATIVE-AMERICAN CULTURE TO SPACE AND SCIENCE.

>> THE REALITY IS EVERYTHING IS EARTH AND SKY RELATED.

SO WE CAN REALLY MAKE ANY STORY INTO AN EARTH AND SKY LESSON FOR STUDENTS.

>> AN OKLAHOMA BUSINESS IS LEADING THE WAY TO REFINING NICKEL IN THE U.S. >> FIRST WANT TO TAKE WHAT IS CALLED MHP, AND PRODUCE CLASS ONE NICKEL.

>> IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL ACROSS THE STATE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, THIS TIME WITHOUT THEIR CELL PHONES.

>> OUR POLICY IS IN LINE WITH WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES AND THAT IS STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY.

>> AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

>> THERE ARE SOME SERVICES THAT ARE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE AND VERY COSTLY AND ALTHOUGH THEY MAYBE EXPENSIVE TO PROVIDE THE REIMBURSEMENT DOESN'T OFTEN MATCH.

>> PLUS, IT'S THE END OF AN ERA FOR AN OKLAHOMA CITY LANDMARK.

NEXT, ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M TAELYR JACKSON.

RICH LENZ WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

>> WE BEGIN THIS WEEK WITH TWO REPORTS ON OKLAHOMA'S NATIVE-AMERICAN CULTURE.

THERE WAS A SERIES OF EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO CONNECT WITH ITS SIT SENTENCE CI.

NOAH JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> THIS TOOK PLACE AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE AND IT WAS ABOUT MAKING THE CHEROKEE NATION AND IT'S SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE.

A MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE EVENT WAS TO GET CHARACTERS REGISTERED WITH TRIBAL IDs AND PROMOTING A LASTING SENSE OF UNITY.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ISN'T IT A GREAT DAY?

ISN'T IT A GREAT DAY TO BE CHEROKEE TODAY?

>> DURING THE CHEROKEE NATION'S AT LARGE EVENT IN MIDWEST CITY A PHRASE REPEATED A LOTS OF TIMES WAS A CHARACTER KEY PHRASE MEANING WORKING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOOD.

>> MY HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER AND START TO LEARN ABOUT SO IT'S NOT JUST ME KNOCKING ONLY THE DOOR FIND BEING OUT WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

>> HE IS PART OWNER OF IS OPERATION AND HOPES HIS CHARACTER CITIZENSHIP CAN AID IN FONSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY.

>> THEY PROVIDE A LOAN OPTIONS WHERE THEY WILL COME IN AND PROVIDE HALF OF THE FINANCING.

DISPLAYED AROUND THE STAGE FOUR VALUES, TRADITIONAL GATHERINGS, CULTURE AND CHARACTER LANGUAGE.

ARGUABLY THE MOST PRESENT CALLED THE ACTION OF THE DAY WAS TO GET PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PRESERVING THESE INDIGENOUS TRADITIONS.

>> THOSE ADULTS IN THE ROOM I'M TALKING TO YOU.

MOST OF ALL, DO YOU CARE TO PASS IT DOWN TO YOUR KIDS, YOUR GRANDKIDS, YOUR NIECES AND NEPHEWS IF THE ANSWER IS THERE.

THE BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD OF US.

THAT MEANS THE GENERATIONS COMING UP WILL BE AS STRONG AS WE ARE.

>> WITH PARTICULAR URGENCY IS THE REVITALIZATION OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

>> IF WE LOSE THAT LAST FIRST LANGUAGE SPEAKER AND WE DON'T HAVE A ROBUST PROGRAM TO CREATE NEW SPEAKERS, SECOND-LANGUAGE SPEAKERS, WE WILL HAVE LOST SOMETHING THAT NO CHIEF IN THE FUTURE CAN WRITE A CHECK BIG ENOUGH TO GET BACK.

>> CHARACTER KEY LANGUAGE EDUCATION IS SOMETHING -- CHEROKEE LANGUAGE EDUCATION RESONATED WITH THE MIDWEST CROWD.

>> IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THIS NATION TO SAVE YOUR LANGUAGE, EACH IF YOU LIKE YOUR CHIEF AND YOU DON'T KNOW YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO BE FLUENT BUT IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO ADVANCE THE LANGUAGE, IF WE BRING THAT CHEROKEE LANGUAGE CLASS BACK TO OKLAHOMA CITY, MAYBE AT THIS FINE FACILITY, WOULD YOU SHOW UP, WOULD YOU BRING YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS AND NIECES AND NEPHEWS?

WOULD YOU DO THAT?

[APPLAUSE] >> I THINK IF THEY INVEST SOME OF THEIR TIME IN THE LANGUAGE, AND WE DO THAT IN THE AGGREGATE, IT HAS THIS RIPPLE EFFECT AND THEN EVERYBODY SAYS I'VE DONE SOMETHING FOR THE LANGUAGE.

IF WE SHARE THAT IN COMMON I THINK IT PUTS US IN A STRONGER POSITION TO SAVE IT.

IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR THAT IN THERE.

>> AND THEN WE HAD THE CHOIR AS WELL SINGING IN CHEROKEE.

WE GOT SOME ELVIS SONGS, WE ARE FAMILY.

♪ >> YEAH, THE CHOIR IS WONDERFUL AND IT'S ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN SHOWCASE OUR LANGUAGE AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> SO FOR YEARS TO COME, CHEROKEE LEADERS WILL CONTINUE TO INSTILL IN THE YOUNGER GENERATION THE MEANING OF GADUKIE.

>> THERE SEEMS TO BE THE SAME SPIRIT OUR AN ZESTTORS HAD IN THE SUMMER OF 1839.

WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER AND THE BEST DAYS OF THE CHEROKEE NATION ARE AHEAD OF US IF WE CHOOSE IT.

LET'S CHOOSE IT.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> THE CHEROKEE NATION HOST THESE MEETINGS EVERY YEAR IN 21 CITIES ACROSS THE USE.

NEXT STOPS ARE ATLANTA AND ANTONIO.

TAELYR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> INDIGENOUS TRIBES ALWAYS HAD A UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPACE AND STARS THAT IS DEEPLY IN THEIR CULTURE.

IT BECOMES MORE AMERICANS BECOMING INTERESTED IN BECOMING PART OF THE AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAMS AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM.

JASON DOYLE EXPLAINS.

>> TAELYR, A PROFESSOR AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS STARTED A PROGRAM CALLED "NATIVE EARTH, NATIVE SKY."

IT SHOWS YOUNG NATURE NATIVS THEY CAN REACH THE STARS.

>> WE'VE BEEN TAKING A LOT OF GOOD RESEARCH DATA.

>> THAT'S DR. KATHRYN KAT GARDER-VANDY.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH SPACE EXPLORATION PROGRAMS.

>> WE STARTED OUR WORK IN JANUARY OF 2021 AND IN THAT TIME WE'VE WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA AS WELL AS THE CHICK TWO NATION AND THE CHEROKEE NATION.

AT THIS POINT WE HAVE FIVE PUBLISHED LESSONS ON OUR WEBSITE HE THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD, ANYONE IN OKLAHOMA OR IN THE UNITED STATES CAN DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM AND USE IT FOR FREE.

>> IT'S AIMED AT MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> THE PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED TO BE THIS COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT BETWEEN OKLAHOMA NATIVE NATIONS AND OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS REALLY TO GET NATIVE CULTURE INTO CLASSROOM MATERIALS THAT WOULD BE USED BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR ANY SCHOOLS REALLY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES.

>> GARDER-VANDY SAYINGS THE STORIES TRIBAL MEMBERS TELL ARE THE BASIS FOR THE CURRICULUM.

>> WHAT KIND OF STORIES DOES THAT NATION THINK ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO THEM AND WHERE WOULD THEY WANT US TO START?

WE LOOK AT THOSE STORIES AND SAY WHAT ARE HOSE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES WE CAN TIE TO THE STORIES AND TEACH ALL OF THAT IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> THE IDEA IS TO TIE STEM PRINCIPLES TO STORIES OF NATIVE NATIONS.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES HERE, WE TIE IN A BEAUTIFUL STORY FROM CHOCTAW NATION IN WITH GEOGRAPHY AND GEOSCIENCE AND ASTRONOMY, AND HOW THE PLANETS ROTATE AND THE SUN IS THE CENTER OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.

WE TIE IN THOSE CONCEPTS INTO THE STORY.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY A MEMBER OF THE CHICK TWO CHICKASAW NAE THE FIRST ONE IN SPACE.

>> WHEN I CAME TO NASSAU I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT'S THE POSITION I WOULD BE IN AS THE FIRST CITIZEN OF A FAIRLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ASTRONAUT CORPS.

>> HE'S EDUCATING CHILDREN ABOUT THE WORLD OF SCIENCE.

>> I SAW MYSELF IN A UNIQUE ROLE AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A ROLE MODEL TO KIDS WHO NEVER HAD A ROLE MODEL BEFORE.

IN MY 50s I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AND EARNED A PH.D.

IN EDUCATION, NATIVE EDUCATION AND WORK WITH NATIVE KIDS TO SEE WHAT MOTIVATED KIDS TO STUDY MATH AND SCIENCE.

>> HE SAID NATIVE PEOPLE WERE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS LONG BEFORE THE WORDS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE OCCUPATIONS.

>> NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS, CHEMISTS AND BIOLOGIST THEIR ENTIRE EXISTENCE.

YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY ON THIS CONTENT AND LOOK AT WHAT NATIVE PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO DO WELL BEFORE EUROPEANS CAME TO THIS CONTINENT, WE UP BUILDING INCREDIBLE STRUCTURES.

>> DR. GARDER-VANDY AND HER TEAM ARE DEVELOPING STORIES.

>> WE ARE DOING STORIES WITH THE CHICKASAW NATION.

WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THE STORY TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE STORY FROM EACH CULTURE, BUT THEN TALK ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENCE THAT GO ALONG WITH THE STORY.

THE REALITY IS THAT EVERYTHING IS EARTH AND SKY RELATED.

SO WE CAN REALLY MAKE ANY STORY INTO AN EARTH AND SKY LESSON FOR STUDENTS.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT CHEROKEE NATION DEPUTY CHIEF BRYAN WARNER CAN GET BEHIND.

>> I LOVE THAT IDEA.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK VERY FAR AND YOU GET A NAME OF MARY GOLDA ROSS.

SHE WORKED ON PROPULSION SYSTEMS TO GET ROCKETS INTO SPACE AND SHE WAS A PROUD CHEROKEE LADY.

>> WARNER BELIEVES NATIVE CULTURE AND SCIENCE GO HAND-IN-HAND.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY ASPECTS OF WHAT WE DO CULTURALLY THAT I THINK OF SIGNIFICANT THAT GO WELL WITH STEM, WHETHER IT'S SPACE EXPLORATION, WHETHER IT'S SOFTWARE ENGINEERING OR BEING A GOOD OLD SCIENCE TEACHER LIKE ME.

>> IN FACT HE BROUGHT HIS CULTURE INTO THE CLASSROOM WHILE TEACHING MICROBIOLOGY HE WAS ABLE TO CONNECT CHEROKEE CULTURE TO MITOCHONDRIA AND DNA AND HOW IT WORKS.

>> THE STUDENTS FOUND IN FASCINATING.

SOMETIMES IT'S ON THE SURFACE AND SOMETIMES IT IS DEEPER BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NATIVE SCIENCE IN CULTURE.

>> THE NATIVE EARTH NATIVE SKY PROGRAM HELD A CAMP FOR THE KIDS IN THE CHOCTAW NATION.

THE A FIRST THE KIDS COMPLAINED THEY DIDN'T LIKE SCIENCE IN SCHOOL.

>> THE KIDS WENT FULL CIRCLE AND CAME BACK AROUND TO SAY HOW MUCH THEY LOVED SCIENCE AND HOW THEY COULD INVASION THEMSELVES BEING SCIENTISTS IN THE FUTURE.

>> THE FORMER ASTRONAUT HERRINGTON IS PURSUING NATIVE KIDS TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS EVEN IF ITS HARD WORK.

>> THIS IS IN YOUR DNA, IT'S IN YOUR HISTORY.

THIS IS WHAT YOUR ANCESTORS HAVE ALWAYS DONE, TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THAT AND IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION YOU WANT TO GO, YOU HAVE TO DO THE CHEMISTRY, THE CALCULUS AND PHYSICS, BUT I LIKE TO MAKE THE CONNECTION OF WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING.

>> THE PROFESSOR SAID WEAVING NATIVE CULTURE WITH A SCIENCE IS AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM.

>> TWO-EYED SEEING IS A WAY OF DOING PEDAGOGY OR TEACHING OF ALBERT MARSHALL.

HE SAID IN ORDER TO HAVE FULL SIGHT WE HAVE TO USE ONE EYE WITH OUR INDIGENOUS WAYS OF KNOWING AND THE OTHER EYE WITH THE WESTERNIZED WAY OF DOING SCIENCE AND THEN HE WOULD TIE THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER IN AN INTERWOVEN WAY.

>> DR. GARDER-VANDY SAYS MORE OF THE "NATIVE EARTH, NATIVE SKY" LESSON PLANS BASED ON THE CULTURES WILL BE COMING SOON.

TAELYR.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

>>> THE LATEST NATIONAL SURVEY ON DRUG USE AND HELP STATES OKLAHOMA RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.

THEY OFTEN FACE CHALLENGES IN HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY.

THAT'S AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> WE REALLY ANTICIPATE AND HOPE NONE OF THOSE SERVICES WILL GO AWAY.

AND AT OUR AGENCY IN PARTICULAR, AND I KNOW OTHER AGENCIES ACROSS THE STITT WE STATE WE ARE WORG CLOSELY WITH STATE LEGISLATOR AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS TO FIGURE OUT NEW WAYS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FUND THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.

>> WE'RE ALSO SEEING CUTS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GRANTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA, PARTICULARLY IN THIS SCHOOL SPACE.

SO THAT'S SORT OF WHAT OKLAHOMA HAS RELIED ON TO INNOVATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS AND WITH THOSE RESOURCES GONE IT'S ABOUT CONVINCING LEGISLATORS AND OTHER POLICYMAKERS TO INVEST IN SCHOOL BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EVEN IF THERE'S NOT A FEDERAL GRANT TO JUMP START THE STATE.

>> WITHOUT THOSE SERVICES WES MAY HAVE CHILDREN WE MITTS OR MR AREN'T ABLE TO ACCESS IT WHEN AVAILABLE.

AND CHILDREN WHO NEED A LITTLE MORE SUPPORT, THEY AREN'T IN NEED OF JORDAN SERVICES BUT THEY NEED SOME SERVICES FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR BEHAVIOR ANALYST AND THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE SUPPORT.

THAT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES DO NOT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BECAUSE OF LACK OF SERVICES.

>> THE REST OF THAT DISCUSSION COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>>> OUT WITH AN OLD, IN WITH A BANG!

>> THREE, TWO, ONE, FIRE!

[EXPLOSION SOUND].

>> THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY IMPLODED THE JIM NORICK ARENA ENDING A 60 YEAR ERA FOR THE FACILITY.

IT HOSTED EVERYTHING FROM STATE BASKETBALL FINALS TO HORSE SHOWS AND EVEN AN ELVIS CONCERT.

>> I'VE HAD A LOT OF COMMENTS, QUESTIONS IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO WHEN EVERYBODY KNEW THIS BUILDING WAS GOING TO BE COMING DOWN ABOUT AM I SAD?

NO, I'M NOT SAD.

I'M EXCITED.

MY DAD WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCITED.

HE PASSED AWAY TEN YEARS AGO.

WE WERE ALREADY IN THE PLANNING FOR THE NEW BUILDING.

HE KNEW THAT THIS BUILDING'S LIFE HAD RUN.

IF HE HAD BEEN HERE TODAY HE WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS WHOLE EVENT.

>> NOW THAT THE NORICK ARENA IS COMING DOWN, OKLAHOMA CITY PLANS TO BUILD A CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE SUPER BARN AND THE NEW O.. AND E COLISEUM.

IT WILL HAVE A LARGE HORSE RING AND EXHIBITION SPACE WHEN COMPLETE.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT AN EMPHASIS ON BRINGING INDUSTRIES OPERATING OVERSEAS BACK HOME TO THE UNITED STATES AND THAT INCLUDES MINING AND PROCESSING OF PRECIOUS METALS.

ONE ENTREPRENEUR IS ATTEMPTING TO ESTABLISH A NICKEL INDUSTRY IN LAWTON.

HERE'S THE STORY.

STEVE.

>> TAELYR, NICKEL IS A PRECIOUS METAL THAT'S FOUND IN THE GROUND AND ROCK.

THERE'S NICKEL IN SOME OF THE FOOD WE EAT.

IN LAWTON A GROUP OF SCIENTISTS AND PRECIOUS METAL EXPERTS ARE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE U.S. HISTORY.

>> LAWTON, OKLAHOMA.

THE ONLY PLACE IN AMERICA THAT PRODUCES NICKEL.

>> WESTWIN ELEMENTS OPENED WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN AVERAGE INDUSTRIAL FACILITY.

NEXT TO FOR THE SILL IN LAWTON A YEAR AGO THEY BUY SEMIPROCESSED NICKEL FROM MINING OPERATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THEY THEN USE HIGH PRESSURE, GAS AND HEAT TO CREATE WHAT IS KNOWN AS HIGH PURITY, CLASS 1 NICKEL POWDER THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

>> WHEN IT COMES IN IT'S IN A RAW STATE AND WE HAVE TO DRY IT TO GET IT INTO A STATE THAT GOES INTO WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY IS OUR PLUMBING, OUR LOOP SYSTEM.

SO BY THE TIME THAT WE'VE GOT IT AND IT'S GOING INTO OUR LOOP SYSTEM UNTIL THE END OF THAT PROCESS, PRETTY CLOSE TO A WEEK.

>> WESTWIN ELEMENTS IS THE ONLY COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS DOING THIS.

THE ONLY OTHER PLACES IT'S GOING ON ARE IN CHINA, RUSSIA, AND A LITTLE BIT IN CANADA.

>> AND THERE ARE A LOT OF EYES ON THIS?

>> OF COURSE.

SHOULD BE.

SHOULD BE.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE PRECIOUS METALS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS GETTING ON BOARD WITH PRODUCING.

IT GOES A LONG WAYS FOR MUNITIONS.

IT'S NO BIG SECRET, FOR THE SILL IS IN OUR BACKYARD.

YOU WANTED TO LOOK FOR THE HIGH-END STAINLESS STEEL, YOUR CUTLERIES, YOUR SURGICAL STEAL, EVERYTHING.

>> YOU ARE PROBABLY GETTING THE POINT.

HIGHLY REFINED CLASS ONE NICKEL IS OSU USED TO PRODUCE ALL SORTS OF THINGS LIKE CELL PHONES, ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES, AND BECAUSE IT'S HEAT RESISTANCE CLASS 1 PURE NICKEL IS USED TO BUILD PLANES AND ROCKETS.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN THE AIR -- >> THIS IS THE PUREST CLASS ONE NICKEL.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 83 EMPLOYEES HERE AT WESTWIN WHO HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH.

>> KY LEE LONG IS THE FOUNDER IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

>> THEIR FAMILIES HAVE SUPPORTED THEM THROUGH EXTREMELY LONG HOURS.

AND OUR OPERATORS ARE IN LAWTON, WHO ARE MAKING HISTORY BY PRODUCING WHAT IS THE KNOWN -- WHAT HAS BEEN -- YOU KNOW, UNLESS SOMEBODY DID THIS IN THEIR GARAGE AND DIDN'T TELL ANYONE, AS FAR AS WE CAN SEE IN KNOWN HISTORY WE ARE THE FIRST ONES TO TAKE MHP, THE VIRGIN FEEDSTOCK AND PRODUCE CLASS ONE NICKEL IN OKLAHOMA.

>> SHE HAS AN OFFICE IN OKLAHOMA CITY BUT AS A TEENAGER SHE GOT A USDA LOAN AND RAN A CATTLE OPERATION.

AS A MINISTER'S DAUGHTER SHE ALSO DID MISSION WORK OVERSEAS IN PLACES LIKE LEBANON AND THE CONGO WHERE SHE LEARNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PRECIOUS METALS.

WHEN THE SCIENTISTS SHE EMPLOYS AT THE LAWTON PLANT ARE ABLE TO HAVE THE CLASS ONE NICKEL, THEY WILL MOVE TO A MASSIVE COMMERCIAL PLANT.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT WHERE THEY SAY WILL COME SOON.

>> FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, WHEN SO MUCH OF OUR AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE TECHNOLOGIES CANNOT BE BUILT, CANNOT BE PRODUCED WITHOUT THESE RARE, CRITICAL MATERIALS, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A SUPPLY CHAIN FOR THESE RARE AND CRITICAL MATERIALS THAT IS NOT DOMINATED AND CONTROLLED BY FOREIGN ADVERSARIES.

>> NICKEL.

>> NICKEL IS NOT ALONE.

NICKEL AND RARE EARTH ELEMENTS ARE LARGELY SCHOOLED, THE MARKETS ARE CONTROLLED, THE SUPPLY CHAINS ARE LARGELY CONTROLLED, THE PRODUCTION IS LARGELY HOUSED IN CHINA AND RUSSIA.

>> LONG SAYS WESTWIN ELEMENTS HAS ALREADY RECEIVED A $47 MILLION GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO MAKE SURE THIS PROJECT GOES.

SHE SAYS THE U.S. IMPORT/EXPORT BANK PLEDGED ANOTHER $188 MILLION, AS WELL.

SHE SAID FOR DECADES THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY HAS EXPLOITED RESOURCE-RICH COUNTRIES.

SHE SAID WESTWIN ELEMENTS WILL PAY THOSE COUNTRIES FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE UNREFINED NICKEL IT BUYS FROM THEM.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE RESOURCE-RICH COMMUNITIES WHO ARE SEEKING AGGRESSIVELY AN AMERICAN PARTNER, AN EQUITABLE, FAIR PARTNER TO SEND THEIR RAW MATERIALS TO.

>> BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SKEWED OVER FOR YEARS.

>> BY CHINA, AH-HA.

>> JEANIE IS WESTWIN ELEMENT'S CHIEF HE OF ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT IS BIG.

WE ALL REALIZED DURING COVID HOW THE SUPPLY CHAIN WAS SO VULNERABLE AND WE FOUND OURSELVES LOOKING IN GROCERY STORES AND OTHER PLACES FOR THINGS THAT WEREN'T THERE AND WE BEGAN TO HAVE A HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF MY GOODNESS IF ANOTHER COUNTRY CUTS OFF THE SPIGOT OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE THERE, THEN WE CAN'T PRODUCE THE THINGS IN MANUFACTURING WE NEED TO PRODUCE.

>> WESTWIN ELEMENTS SAYINGS THEY WILL BE PRODUCING THOUSANDS OF TONS OF CLASS 1 NICKEL A YEAR BY 2028.

>> REALLY INTERESTING.

THANKS, STEVE.

>> SCHOOL IS OFFICIALLY PACK IN SESSION FOR STUDENTS AROUND THE STATE.

THAT MEANS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ARE NOW ADJUSTING TO LIFE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

WHILE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE PREPARING TO MAKE THE TRANSITION AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

>> GOOD MORNING!

>> CLASS IS IN SESSION.

>> SOMEONE IN THE SKY, GILBERT, WOULD CRY HE WAS BORN WITHOUT A -- >> BUT THIS SCHOOL YEAR IS UNLIKE OTHERS DUE TO SENATE BILL 139.

IT REQUIRES DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT A BELL-TO-BELL CELL PHONE POLICY FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT GENERAL COUNSEL SAID THE POLICY IS IN PLACE AS STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> OUR POLICY IS PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH EXACTLY WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES AND THAT BEING THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

THAT BEING DEFINED AS THE START OF THE FIRST CLASS TO THE BELL THAT MARKS THE END OF THE LAST CLASS.

SO THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY, PASSING PERIODS, LUNCH PERIODS, PERSONAL ELECTRONIC GUYSES WHICH INCLUDES CELL PHONES, SMART WATCHES, AIR PODS, OTHER DEVICES THAT CAN CONNECT TO THE INTERNET OR TO A PHONE CANNOT BE USED.

>> THE PHONE RESTRICTION BECOMES OPTIONAL DURING THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR FAMILIES, WORKING WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT DOES IMPLEMENTATION LOOK LIKE BUT BEYOND THAT WHAT DOES IMPLEMENTATION LOOK LIKE FOR ENSUING YEARS.

IN DOING THAT WE WANT TO TRACK WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS?

WHAT IS THE IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM?

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE WE ARE SEEING FOR OUR STUDENTS SO NEXT YEAR WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT THE POLICY MIGHT LOOK LIKE FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BASED ON WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM PARENTS AND EDUCATORS AND SEEING IN THE ROOT ROOM.

>> THEY HOPE IT WILL LEAD TO A TEACHABLE MOMENT FOR STUDENTS.

>> WORK ON THE PHONE NUMBER.

WE HAVE SO RELIED ON THESE DEVICES FOR OUR DIRECTORY, I PERSONALLY PROBABLY KNOW THREE PHONE NUMBERS.

BUT AS A CHILD I CAN TELL YOU EVERYONE IN THE NEIGHBOR'S PHONE NUMBER.

SO LET'S DON'T JUST ASSUME OUR KIDS KNOW THE PHONE NUMBERS TO SOMEONE, AS WELL AS THEIR HOUSE ADDRESS.

SO WE CAN USE THESE NEXT FEW DAYS TO ENSURE FAMILIES NOT ONLY WHERE IS YOUR RALLY POINT FOR SAFETY, BUT WHAT'S THE PHONE NUMBERS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW, AS WELL AS THEIR HOUSE ADDRESS.

>> ADMIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IMPLEMENTATION OF POWER OF PRESENCE ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO PUT DOWN THE PHONE AND FULLY ENGAGE DURING CLASS.

>> THEY ARE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING THAT PRESENCE BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS, BACK INTO OUR CLASSROOMS AND INTO THE LEARNING WE DO EVERY DAY.

>> THE DISTRICT ROLLED OUT THE NEW CAMPAIGN IN JULY TO PREPARE FAMILIES FOR THE UPCOMING CHANGE.

>> THERE'S OBVIOUSLY MESSAGES THAT WE HAVE DONE WITH OUR FAMILIES.

WE DO ONBOARDING WITH OUR SCHOOL LEADERS.

OUR STAFF WILL GET ONBOARDED AND IT TRICKLES DOWN IN OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, JUST ACKNOWLEDGING AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S ABOUT THE POWER OF PRESENCE.

HOW DO YOU BECOME FULLY PRESENT AND ENGAGED IN THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING.

>> BUT DISTRICTS SAY THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR THE ROLE LIKE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, NATIONAL DISASTERS OR LOCKDOWN.

♪ >> THE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WERE GREETED BY THE THUNDER DRUM LINE AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AS THEY HEADED TO CLASS.

>> SEEINGTHE THUNDER HERE IT WAS LIKE AMAZING.

YOU USUALLY JUST SEE THEM AT THE BASKETBALL GAMES BUT YOU SEE THEM HERE AT YOUR SCHOOL YOU FEEL LIKE, WHOA, YOUR SCHOOL IS FAMOUS.

>> EMBARK IS HELPING GET KIDS TO SCHOOL BY LAUNCHING THEIR NEW HAUL PASS PROGRAMS.

IT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO OBTAIN AN EMBARK RIDING PASS FOR YEARS.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO WE WERE LOOKING AT WAYS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSIT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOKED AT, WE NOTICED THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO GET TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, EVEN GET TO SCHOOL OR MAYBE A JOB THEY WERE TRYING TO GET IT TO OR MAYBE THEY LIVED IN A ONE-CAR HOUSEHOLD AND WEREN'T ABLE TO GET TO THE JOB.

SO WE WANTED TO REACH OUT AND PROVIDE THIS HAND TO BE ABLE TO GET THIS TO THOSE DESTINATIONS.

>> DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC TRANSIT AND PARKING JESSE RUSS SAID THE HALL PASS ISN'T JUST FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> IT'S REALLY FOR ANYBODY IN OUR REACH.

WE TRY TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH EVERYBODY WITHIN THE 680 680 SQE MILES.

IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO OUR SYSTEM YOU CAN USE IT.

>> APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND ON THE EMBARK REMEMBER SITE.

>> WE ALSO UNDERSTAND SOMEBODY MIGHT GET HELD BACK SO IF YOU CAN SHOW PROOF YOU ARE GOING TO SCHOOL WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET ACCESS TO THE PROGRAM.

>> LAST YEAR WE VISITED THE FILLING STATION TO LEARN ABOUT RICH HISTORY OF ROAD TO FREEDOM.

IT'S ON HISTORIC ROUTE 66.

IT WAS NAMED THE 11th MOST DANGEROUS HISTORIC PLACE BY THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

>>> GOOGLE IS INVESTING BILLIONS TO EXPAND IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT TOPS THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> GOOGLE WILL BE INVESTING $9 BILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO EXPAND THEIR DATA CENTER, BUILD A NEW DATA CENTER IN STILLWATER AND PROVIDE TRAINING FOR AI PROFESSIONALS.

IT WILL FOCUS ON CROWD AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT'S MAKING THE AI SCHOOLS AND TRAINING FOR OKLAHOMA COLLEGE STUDENTS AND PREPARING MORE STUDENTS WITH AI AND JOB READINESS SKILLS.

BEGINNING OF MARCH OF NEXT YEAR SOUTHWEST AIRLINES WILL OFFER TWO DAILY NONSTOP FIGHTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO DALLAS LOVE FIELD.

IT OFFER THAT ROUTE UNTIL 2020.

AIRPORT OFFICIALS SAY THE FLIGHT BETWEEN OKLAHOMA STAY AND DALLAS IS ONE OF THE MOST REQUESTED BY PASSENGERS.

SOUTHWEST ALSO WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS OFFERED FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TO NASHVILLE AND CHICAGO MIDWAY NEXT MARCH.

NEXT SPRING THEY WILL STOP SERVICE TO ST. LOUIS AND ANTONIO.

NORTH BASED SHIELDS WILL BE OPENING A STORE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT FEATURES A FERRIS WHEEL AND SUPPORTING GOODS IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN THE SPRING OF 2028.

THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY HAS I PROVED THE RETAILERS TO EARN UP TO $8 MILLION OF INCENTIVES IF IT HITS CERTAIN REVENUE AND EMPLOYMENT BENCH MARKET.

THE 300 SQUARE FOOT STORE WILL BE SHIELDS 38th LOCATION AND SECOND IN O'CLOCK TO.

THE COMPANY LOCATED THAT STORE IN TULSA.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION NAMED A NEW DIRECTOR FOR ITS OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY VENTURES.

HER JOB WILL BE TO PROMOTE THE LAB DISCOVERIES BY OMRF SCIENTISTS AND COORDINATE LICENSING AGREEMENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS.

SHE WAS MOST RECENTLY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY VENTURES OVERSEEING 200 ACTIVE PATENTS BY OMRF.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> THIS WEEK OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZED THE LEGISLATURE FOR PROVIDING FUNDS FOR A NEW VETERINARY TEACHING HOSPITAL.

THE HISTORIC FUNDING TOTALS $250 MILLION TO BUILD THE THAT 255 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY.

OSU SAYS THE FACILITY IS URGENTLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE AGING ANIMAL HOSPITAL BUILT MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY AGO.

>> THIS FACILITY WILL ALLOW US TO COMPETE FOR THE BRIGHTEST STUDENTS, THE BEST FACULTY MEMBERS AND CLINICIANS.

IT WILL BRING REFERRAL PATTERNS TO OUR COLLEGE OF VETERINARY OF MEDICINE TEACHING HOSPITAL AND IT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE A BACKBONE AND FUND NETTLE PILLAR TO OUR AGRICULTURE ECONOMY.

IT'S MORE THAN BRICKS BRICKE MORTAR, BUT WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE FACILITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.

>> WHEN COMPLETED IT WILL DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS OSU CAN TEACH.

CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN THE SPRING OF 2026 WITH THE HOSPITAL OPENING ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER >>> THE LATEST NATIONAL SURCY ON TO DRUG USE AND HELP SHOWS OKLAHOMA RANKSES THIRD IN THE NATION FOR THE RATE OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

THE SAME SURVEY SHOW OKLAHOMA RANKS SECOND IN THE NATION FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH DRUG ADDICTION.

THAT HITS HARD IN OKLAHOMA HE IS A RURAL AREAS.

THAT'S THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH CASSIDY MUDD AND HER GUESTS.

>> IN OKLAHOMA ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIMITED.

NOW NEW FUNDING CUTS ARE SHUTTING DOWN PROGRAMS MANY COMMUNITIES RELY ON.

JOINING US HOW TO ADDRESS THE KIT SITUATION DOES L. IS DR. BRITTNEY HAUGHT.

SHE'S ALSO THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR OF THE PRIME RURAL MENTAL HEALTH PROP.

WE ARE JOINED BY JORDAN WESTBROOK, AND BRITTNEY HAYES, THE HEALTHY FINDS POLICY INITIATIVE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, WHAT WAS THE OU PRIDE PROGRAM AND WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE FUNDING CUTS IN.

>> IN 2003 WE WERE AAWARDED A GRANT TO CLAN SCHOOL CLINICIANS, ANALYSTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.

TODD WE ARE IN THE PROCESSOR HAVE TRAINED 40 PRACTITIONERS WHO ARE SURVEYING RURAL SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA.

17 OF THOSE ARE GRADUATED AND ARE EITHER WORKING TOWARDS COMPLETING THEIR LICENSURE EXAMS OR HAVE COMPLETED THEM AND ARE SERVING AS SCHOOL BASED CLINICIANS.

WE LEARNED IN APRIL THAT OUR GRANT WOULD NOT BE CONTINUED.

THAT LEAVES 24 CLINICIANS THAT WILL BE UNABLE TO TRAIN AND MANY WHO WILL BE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR STUDIES DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING.

>> SO WHAT WILL WE BE DOING FOR THOSE STUDENTS?

>> WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN TO FIND ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY MANY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE AND SERVE THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY ARE WORKING.

>> IN ALL 77 COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA HAVE A SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

HOW DOES THIS LOOK ON THE GROUND FOR CLINICS, BRITTNEY?

>> SURE.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS WE THINK ABOUT DOCTOR OFFICE.

IT'S NOT JUST THE CLINICIAN, IT'S THE SUPPORT STAFF.

YOU HAVE THE DOCTOR, THE PERSON AT THE FRONT DESK, THE PERSON DOING THE BILLING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS ARE THE SAME.

WE THINK OF SOMEONE WHO CAN PRESCRIBE OR SOME PROVIDE THERAPY AND ALLIED MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, CASE MANAGERS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AIDS, ALL OF THEM ARE CRITICAL TO MAKING SURE THE OFFICE THE WORK.

BUT WITH FUNDING CUTS AND SORT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY A LOT OF THOSE OFFICES ARE BEING FORCED TO THINK HAVE STRATEGICALLY ABOUT WHAT STAFF THEY CAN KEEP, WHERE THE STAFF ARE LOCATED.

BUT WE THINK THERE'S ALWAYS APPETITE TO INCREASE THINGS LIKE INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE.

SO HOW CAN YOU USE A FAMILY CLINIC THAT'S WELL ACCOMPLISHED IN A SMALL TOWN AND BRING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TO THEM EVEN IF IT'S TELEHEALTH.

IT'S HARDER TO DO THAT IN THE HOME BECAUSE OF ISSUES LIKE BROADBAND.

BUT IF WE CAN CREATE COMMUNITY HUBS TO CREATE ACCESS TO THE HEALTHCARE AND FOCUS ON THAT WHILE INCREASING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PIPELINE THIS DOES HAVE ITS FAIR SHARE OF SHORTAGES.

>> I WANT TO PUT A PIN IN THE ONLINE HELP THERE BUT HOW HAVE RECENT CUTS CHANGED THE DEMANDS FOR YOUR SERVICES, JORDAN, HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> WE HAVE ALWAYS SEEN THE NEED AND THE DEMAND FOR MENTAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

THE NEED IS THERE REGARDLESS OF FEDERAL OR STATE CUTS HAPPENING.

UNFORTUNATELY THE NEED IS ON THE RISE.

FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY ARE WORRIED AND CONCERNED, BUT MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS HERE AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE FOLKS THAT ARE READY AND WILLING TO WALK INTO OUR DOORS AND CLINICS.

>> YOU SAID MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ARE ON THE RISE.

DO YOU KNOW WHY?

>> I THINK THAT POST PANDEMIC A LOT OF DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS CAME TO LAYTH FOR FOLKS.

MAYBE THEY WERE UNAWARE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS BOTHERING THEM OR CONCERNING THEM BUT THINGS KIND OF CAME TO LIGHT POST COVID.

SINCE THEN WE HAVE SEEN DEMAND INCREASE AND WE'VE SEEN MORE FOLKS REALIZING THAT THEY ARE READY AND WILLING OR NEED TO COME IN AND SEEK ACCESS TO CARE AND SERVICES.

AT THE SAME TIME, I SEE THAT NATIONALLY -- AND I DO BELIEVE LOCALLY WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A REDUCTION IN THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH SO FOLKS ARE FEELING BETTER ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY CAN SAY I THINK I NEED TO GO TALK TO SOMEBODY AND THEY ARE READY AND WILLING TO DO THAT.

>> THE REDUCTION OF THE STIGMA IS A REALLY, REALLY BIG PIECE OF THIS AND WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT.

I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT WE ARE COMING UP BEGINNINGS BUT WHAT IMPACT WILL RURAL STUDENTS HAVE AND WHAT WILL THEY FEEL THAT PRIME IS GONE IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOW GRADUATED AND ARE BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS AND COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS MAY NOT RECEIVE THE CONTINUING MENTORING AND TRAINING THAT THEY NEED TO FLOURISH IN THEIR JOBS.

THOSE PROVIDING SERVICES ON THE GROUND MAY RISK LOSING THOSE SERVICES.

BEFORE A STUDENT SEES A CLINICIAN, THE SCHOOL IS KIND OF THE FIRST LINE.

IN RURAL LOCALITIES THE SCHOOLS ARE THE HUB AND THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS.

AND REMOVING THOSE STIGMAS AND LINKING TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

SO WITHOUT THOSE SERVICES, WE MAY HAVE CHILDREN WHO WE MISS OR WHO AREN'T ABLE TO ACCESS WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

THE DISTANCE TO SERVICES IS PRETTY LONG.

IT'S A LONG COMMUTE.

WE HAVE CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS DRIVE THEM AN HOUR AND A HALF ONE WAY TO RECEIVE 30 MINUTES OF COUNSELING AND COME HOME.

>> AND EIGHTHS EXPENSIVE.

WHEN I NEEDED TO SEE A COUNSELOR WE DROVE TO ENID.

AN HOUR, HOUR AND A HALF THERE, LIKE YOU SAID, 30 MINUTES, AND GOING BACK.

IT WAS DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO ARE US AND I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BRITTNEY, WHAT DO WE DO?

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW OKLAHOMA IS IN THE POSITION OF FIGURING OUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO FUND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

SO WE'VE LONG RELIED ON A MATCH AND THE MEDICAID DOLLARS.

NOW THAT WE ANTICIPATE MEDICAID CUTS COMING.

>> IT'S ABOUT PRIORITIZING THOSE SERVICES THAT FAMILIES FEED MOST.

WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED IN TWO PARTICULAR AREAS.

ONE, HOW ARE WE GOING TO CHANGE THE SERVICE ARRAY.

SOME SERVICES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND COSTLY AND ALTHOUGH THEY ARE EXPENSIVE TO PROVIDE THE REIMBURSEMENT DOESN'T OFTEN MATCH THE EXPENSE IT TAKES TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

REIMBURSEMENTS ARE ALREADY LOW WHAT DOES IT LOOK LEAK HAD THEY GO DOWN OR THE SERVICE RATE CHANGES.

AND THEN ELIGIBILITY.

A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN ARE ON MEDICAID AND WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THE ELIGIBILITY TO CHANGE BUT THERE COULD BE OTHER CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY THAT IMPACT THE FAMILY UNIT.

SO ALONG WITH ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND LIKE DR. HOTT SAID, WE ARE SEEING CUTS TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GRANTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA PARTICULARLY IN THIS SCHOOL SPACE.

THAT'S SORT OF WHAT OKLAHOMA HAS RELIED ON TO INTEGRATE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN OTHERS AND WITH THOSE RESOURCES GONE IT'S ABOUT CONVINCING POLICYMAKERS AND OTHERS TO INVEST IN SCHOOL BASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EVEN IF THERE'S NOT A GRANT TO JUMP START THE STATE.

>> CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE 3R0EUD TO HELP WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

>> SURE.

IT'S VERY, VERY PERSONALIZED.

OFTEN LIKE DR. HOTT SAID, IF IT'S A CHILD USUALLY THEY GET SEEN AT THE SCHOOL FIRST AND THEN THERE'S A REFERRAL TO EITHER A PRIVATE PROVIDER OR A COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER LIKE JORDAN WORKS AT.

THOSE CENTERS AFTER DOING AN ASSESSMENT OF A CHILD YOUTH OR FAMILY MEMBERS COMES UP WITH A CASE PLAN SO THEY HAVE A CASE MANAGER AND THEY HAVE A TEAM WHO ASSESSES WHAT THEY NEED TO GETS THEM INTO THE RIGHT SERVICES.

I'LL SAY, AND I THINK JORDAN CAN ATTEST THE ACUITY WE ARE SEEING IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH IS HIGHER THAN EVER.

WHILE WE MAY HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS LIKE OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH, WHAT WE ARE REALLY SEEING A NEED FOR IS CRISIS SERVICES.

AS A RESULT OF A BILL PASSED A COUPLE YEARS AGO SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE AN MOU WITH A LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER THAT HELPS WALK THEM THROUGH A CHILD IN CRISIS BUT WE'VE SORT OF SHIFTED IT FROM ONE THAT SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON EARLY INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION TO FOCUSED ON CRISIS.

WE ARE SEEING KIDS SHOWING UP WITH SUCH HIGH ACUITY THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE WE FEEL NOT EVEN WELL-EQUIPPED WITH THE ISSUES WE ARE SEEING.

>> JORDAN TELL US ABOUT THE HIGH ACUITY.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE PATIENTS TURNED AWAY?

TALK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

>> IN GRAND MENTAL HEALTH WE DON'T TURN ANYBODY AWAY.

EVERYBODY WHO WALKS INTO OUR COORS IS ABLE TO RECEIVE SERVICES AND CARE.

WE ALWAYS FIND A GOOD FIT FOR FOLKS WITH A TREATMENT TEAM THAT IS READY AND WILLING AND ABLE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THEM AND WORK WITH THEM.

FOR CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR THAT EXPERIENCE CRISIS-RELATED ISSUES, WE DO SEE INCREASES IN THE NEED FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO CARE WHEN THEY NEED IT AND WHERE THEY NEED IT IN PARTICULAR.

SO WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE MOBILE CRISIS SERVICES TO CHILDREN, WHETHER IT'S IN SCHOOL BASED SETTINGS OR OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE PARTNER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO BE ABLE TO GET CHILDREN HOOKED UP WITH THE APPROPRIATE CARE THAT THEY NEED.

IF WE ARE ABLE TO ASSIST AND RESOLVE AN ISSUE THAT'S CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN THE MOMENT AND WE CAN SAFETY PLAN OUR WAY BACK HOME TO BE ABLE TO KEEP EVERYBODY TOGETHER, THAT'S IDEAL SCENARIO.

WE OFTEN FIND WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN BEING ABLE TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DO THIS.

HOWEVER, WE DO SEE TIMES THAT CHILDREN ABSOLUTELY DO MEET THE NEED AND CRITERIA FOR A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE AT AN INPATIENT FACILITY AND WE ARE ABLE TO GET CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ROUTED TO THE DIFFERENT IMPLICATIONS THAT CAN BE MORE HELPFUL TO THEM GIVEN THE CURRENT SITUATION THEY MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING.

>> BECAUSE OF THE FUNDING CUTS WILL ANY OF THESE THINGS CHANGE?

>> WE REALLY ANTICIPATE AND HOPE NONE OF THESE SERVICES WILL GO AWAY.

AT OUR AGENCY IN PARTICULAR, AND I KNOW OTHER AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE, WE ARE ALL WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH STATE LEGISLATORS AND DIFFERENT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS TO FIGURE OUT NEW WAYS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FUND THE WORK WE ARE DOING.

I WILL SAY THE WORKFORCE THAT PROVIDES THESE SERVICES ARE ALSO VERY, VERY STRONG ADVOCATES FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK TO CONTINUE AND THEY ARE READY AND WILLING TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK REGARDLESS OF WHAT FUNDING MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THIS WORK AND WE ARE PROUD OF THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT.

WE'RE COMING UP AGAINST A LOT OF THINGS, FUNDING CUTS, WHATEVER ELSE.

WHAT ARE WE DOING RIGHT?

>> WE ARE SCREENING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

WITH PARENT PERMISSION AND SUPPORT WE ARE TRAINING OUR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS TO UNDERSTAND WARNING SIGNS.

WE ARE MAKING SURE WHAT WE CALL TIER ONE SUPPORTS ARE IN PLACE.

THAT ALL CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WELLNESS AND THAT CHILDREN WHO NEED A LITTLE MORE SUPPORT THEY AREN'T IN NEED OF JORDAN'S SERVICES BUT THEY NEED SOME SUPPORT FROM A SCHOOL COUNSELOR OR ANALYST AND THIS THEY HAVE ACCESS TO SUPPORT.

AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES DON'T FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BECAUSE OF LACK OF SERVICES.

OKLAHOMA HAS ONE OF THE FEWEST BOARD CERTIFIED ANALYSTS IN OURCHY.

WE HAVE WAIT LISTS OF A YEAR 20 YEAR AND A HALF FOR SERVICES.

SCHOOLS ARE WIDER TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO MEAL THE CRITERIA.

HOWEVER, THEY DESERVE TRAINED CLINICIAN TOSS SUPPORT THAT, AND THAT'S BEYOND TEACHERS.

WE CAN'T EXPECT OUR TEACHERS TO ALSO BE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS AND TO ALSO FILL IN THE GAPS.

WE NEED TRAINED PERSONNEL WHO ARE READY TO GO HAD A KID NEEDS HELP.

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR CRISIS SUPPORTS, AND SO THANK FULL FOR THE TIER 3 CRISIS INTERVENTION SUPPORTS.

WE ARE HOPEFUL WE CAN CATCH STUDENTS OR CHILDREN IN THE TIER1 OR TIER2 AND HELP THEM REMAIN IN SCHOOLS OR HOMES AND KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

>> ALTHOUGH THE PRIME FUNDING IS BEING CUT, WHAT WILL BE STILL BE DOING?

LIKE JORDAN SAID, IT DOESN'T MATTER FUNDING IS CUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRAIN AND SEEK SUPPORT AND TALK ABOUT WHY FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH PROVISIONER IS SCHOOLS ARE IMPORTANT.

THESE ARE TAX DOLLARS.

WE ARE VERY COGNIZANT OF THAT.

PREVENTION, IT'S A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE THAN CRISIS PLANNING.

IF WE CAN CATCH THE CHILD AND PROVIDE COUNSELING, IF WE CAN DO A COMMUNITY-BASED REFERRAL, THAT IS SO MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE AND SO MUCH EASIER ON A FAMILY AND CHILD BEFORE NEEDING JORDAN'S SERVICES.

>> BRITTNEY, I SEE YOU AGREEING.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK WHAT THE DOCTOR IS REFERRING TO IS A MULTI-TIERED SYSTEMFUL SUPPORT.

NOT EVERY STUDENT IS GOING TO NEED SERVICES BUT WHAT THEY ALL NEED IS TO BE IN A SAFE SECURE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

WHEN YOU CAN KNOCK THAT OUT YOU'VE TAKEN CARE OF LIKE 85%, 90% OF KIDS.

WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE 10, 12, 15% OF OKLAHOMA YOUTH WHERE YOU IMPLEMENT THESE THINGS WELL THE NUMBERS GO DOWN, AS WELL.

SO IT'S REALLY ABOUT HOW WE CAN CONVINCE POLICYMAKERS TO INVEST INTO PREVENTION AND BY INTRODUCING PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS LIKE LIFE SKILLS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IN A CLASSROOM THAT'S SAFE AND SECURE AND HOW DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND FINAL OUTCOMES?

>> JORDAN, FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> WE NEED TO INVEST IN PREVENTION.

THE EARLIER WE CAN INTERVENE AND BE HUNDRED FULL TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THE BETTER OFF FOLKS ARE IN THE LONG RUN.

WE NEED TO HAVE A STRONG FOCUS ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE AND BRINGING CARE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND FOLKS THAT NEED IT WHERE THEY NEED IT.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU TO ON THE GROUND IN OKLAHOMA EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, A NEW LAMENT TO FIND STUDENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH DYSLEXIA AND GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW THE NEW LAW IS BEING PUT INTO PRACTICE NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00 P.M. WECY SO LONG WITH A LOOK AT THE ART EXHIBIT AT MYRAID BOTANICAL GARDENS.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH ANY OF OUR REPORTS AGAIN, THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR YouTube CHANNEL.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON AIR EACH WEEK, I'M TAELYR JACKSON.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK END!

♪ Good evening.

My name is Sean Black and I'm the interim director here at Oeta.

And I have Susan Catto here who is our vice president of content.

So we want to talk to you about a way that you can