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As we bring 2025 into harbor, the OK SHIP continues to navigate steadily toward stronger, healthier communities across Oklahoma. From September through December, our rotating workgroup meetings carried forward meaningful progress across all six priority areas: Cardiovascular Disease, Drivers of Health, Mental Health and Substance Misuse, Diabetes, and Obesity. Each gathering offered new perspectives, deeper partnerships, and shared strategies that help guide our collective public health journey.
This final issue of the year highlights recent meetings, statewide initiatives, and the exceptional work of our partners. Thank you for staying the course with us throughout 2025. The waves we’re making together are moving Oklahoma forward.
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SHIP TALK: WORKGROUP INSIGHTS |
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The OK SHIP Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Workgroup met on September 10, 2025 and hosted a focused discussion centered on the Medically Tailored Meals (MTM) pilot program, featuring an in-depth Q&A session with partners. Participants explored service locations across rural Year 2 partner sites, including Hollis, Altus, Cordell, Fort Cobb, and Anadarko, and discussed opportunities for future collaborations. The conversation highlighted current program boundaries, such as limited referral capacity during the pilot phase, and explored ideas for expansion, including volunteer involvement and clinic participation for Year 3. Additional questions addressed pilot program supports, including food and incentives for participants, transportation considerations, and the feasibility of adjusting sodium levels in pre-packaged meals. Overall, the session emphasized partner engagement, rural access, and opportunities for continued program development as the MTM initiative grows. |
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The OK SHIP Diabetes Workgroup met on December 10, 2025 and closed out the year with updates, shared learning, and partner highlights focused on improving diabetes-related outcomes statewide. The meeting featured a presentation from the Southcentral CMS QIN-QIO team at TMF Health Quality Institute, who shared current priorities within their new scope of work and highlighted tools and resources supporting Chronic Kidney Disease Early Identification and Intervention Toolkit with KDIGO Heatmap and diabetes-related complications. Members also reviewed updates to the Year 3 Diabetes Work Plan, including progress toward annual goals and refinements to select measures. Partner announcements spotlighted Memorial Health System of Southwestern Oklahoma’s efforts to increase chronic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy screenings and strengthen referrals to diabetes care services. The meeting concluded with reminders about the 2026 SHIP meeting schedule and an open invitation for partners to highlight their diabetes-related work at future workgroup meetings. |
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The OK SHIP Drivers of Health (DoH) Workgroup met on October 8, 2025 to share updates, highlight statewide initiatives, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. The session featured a presentation on the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, including Oklahoma’s application process, stakeholder engagement efforts, and the program’s focus on workforce development, sustainable access, and innovative care models. Facilitators also provided updates on the continuation of the SHIP newsletter through 2026 and the upcoming release of the new annual meeting schedule. Additional highlights included a sustainability update on Family Resource Centers, community announcements such as the Urban League being named Oklahoma’s first Pathways Community Hub, and partner requests for youth survey participation. The meeting closed with reminders about ongoing opportunities for involvement, including the SDOH Facilitators Subcommittee meetings. |
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The OK SHIP Mental Health and Substance Misuse Workgroup met on November 12, 2025 to share community updates, highlight partner programs, and review recent dashboard progress. The meeting featured two Spotlights from the Field, beginning with Volunteers of America, where Christina Erman discussed services offered across Cotton, Caddo, Kiowa, and Stephens counties. The second spotlight showcased Mangum Regional Medical Center’s Strong Minds Program, which provides therapy, wellness training, grief support, medication management, and transportation for adults aged 55 and older. Facilitators also shared recent successes and updates from the Mental Health and Substance Misuse dashboards, which were presented at the October 2, 2025 OK SHIP Annual Meeting. Additional announcements included a discussion on the value of micro-grants to encourage collaboration, information about an upcoming Handle With Care OK training, and reminders about submitting partner data forms and accessing the 2026 SHIP meeting calendar. The meeting concluded with an invitation for partners to spotlight their work at future sessions. |
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There have been great strides and partnerships over the years within the Oklahoma State Obesity Plan. As 2025 wraps up, the impact of the stakeholders’ group shows through the following: 58 of 108 goals have been accomplished and 36 goals are in progress!
Additionally, it is exciting to note that Oklahoma’s prevalence of Obesity has decreased in 2024 to 36.8% (38.7% in 2023 and 40% in 2022). This is truly a testament to the passion and dedication of so many partners.
As the final year of the Oklahoma State Obesity Plan begins in 2026, there are several changes regarding meetings. The Adults and Older Adults Subcommittee remain combined. In addition to combining All Ages and All Stakeholders together as well as Early Childhood and School Age together. This is due to decreased objectives needing to be completed and to maximize the stakeholders’ time together. If you would like to join a subcommittee or invite others to join please sign up with this link.
There have been improvements to the process of following up on data by utilizing Smartsheet reminders. If you are a point of contact for an objective, twice a year you will get an automatic reminder that will list out the specific objective and ask if you have updates.
In 2026, the Oklahoma State Obesity Plan looks to wrap up with all the identified partners and begin work for next steps following the end of the plan. If you’d like to be a spotlight speaker and highlight your work in meeting any of the objectives, please fill out this form or e-mail: CommunityDevServices@health.ok.gov.
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2025 OK SHIP All Workgroup Meeting Recap
On October 2, 2025, more than one hundred partners came together for the OK SHIP All Workgroup Meeting, both in person and online, making it one of the most engaging gatherings of the year. Each of the six priority workgroups shared Year 2 accomplishments, Year 3 activities, and calls to action as the shared voyage toward stronger health outcomes for all Oklahomans continues. The meeting also featured standout presentations from the OK SHIP facilitators along with a presentation spotlighting Tulsa County's Community Health Improvement Plan, as well as a presentation on Grant Writing Guidance. Thank you to every partner who came aboard to support this year’s progress and help chart the course for the work ahead.
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2026 OK SHIP Workgroup Meetings
A rotating workgroup meeting is held monthly, via Zoom, on the second Wednesday from 9am-10am.
2026 OK SHIP Workgroup Meetings Information:
- January 14 – Cardiovascular Disease Workgroup
- February 11 – Drivers of Health Workgroup
- March 11 – Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup
- April 8 – Diabetes Workgroup
- May 13 – Cardiovascular Disease Workgroup
- June 10 – Drivers of Health Workgroup
- July 8 – Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup
- August 12 – Diabetes Workgroup
- September 9 – Cardiovascular Workgroup
- October 14 – Drivers of Health Workgroup
- November 4 – Mental Health & Substance Misuse Workgroup
- December 9 – Diabetes Workgroup
For more information about the State Obesity Plan and associated workgroups, please visit the State Obesity Plan webpage.
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The OK SHIP is proud to highlight the incredible work of our partners across Oklahoma who are making a difference in public health. From local initiatives to statewide programs, these spotlights showcase innovation, collaboration, and impact. Be sure to check out upcoming events, trainings, and opportunities to connect and learn. |
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Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City
The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City has been designated as the Pathways Community HUB for Oklahoma County, becoming the first certified HUB in the state. This designation strengthens community-based care coordination by connecting families with medical, behavioral, and social supports through a trained network of Community Health Workers. The effort is supported by Oklahoma Complete Health, whose investment helped bring the national model to Oklahoma and advance shared work through the Health Empowerment Zone partnership. Together, partners are now engaging local stakeholders as they move toward full implementation of the HUB, with the goal of improving and promoting health outcomes across Oklahoma County.
Explore the Full Story: Urban League HUB Designation Announcement
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OK Facilitators for Socio-Ecological Drivers of Health (SDoH)
A statewide monthly planning call to increase public-private interagency collaboration around peer support groups to address SDoH.
The next meeting is Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
Calendar Invite to Monthly SDoH Meetings
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Oklahoma Complete Health and FreshRx Oklahoma Produce Prescription Program
Oklahoma Complete Health is partnering with FreshRx Oklahoma, a Tulsa-based nonprofit, to launch a produce prescription program for Oklahoma Complete Health members aimed at improving health outcomes for people living with Type 2 diabetes in Tulsa. FreshRx Oklahoma’s “food is medicine” approach, provides free, locally grown produce, nutrition education and clinical support to help participants manage their diabetes and improve overall health.
Eligible Oklahoma Complete Health members diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can enroll in the year-long program to receive free, bi-weekly boxes of fresh, locally sourced produce. Members pick up their produce boxes and participate in a comprehensive nutrition education curriculum including cooking classes, health screenings and quarterly clinical check-ins to monitor progress in key health indicators such as A1C, blood pressure and weight.
Results from FreshRx Oklahoma show nearly an average 2-point HbA1c reduction across 75% of patients. Participants also reported improvements in weight, blood pressure, energy, and mental health. Beyond individual health outcomes, the program has generated $1.70 in local economic benefit for every $1 invested and contributed to an estimated $9 million in savings for the healthcare system.
Eligible Oklahoma Complete Health members can apply by:
Health care providers serving Oklahoma Complete Health members in Tulsa are encouraged to refer eligible patients to FreshRx Oklahoma by sharing the website or assisting with the application process during clinical visits. Referrals can help patients with diabetes access locally grown produce and nutrition education to better manage their condition.
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 The Handle With Care Advisory Team continues to meet monthly to address the needs of communities across Oklahoma and increase statewide and local cross-sector collaboration among law enforcement, schools, and behavioral/social/health providers in order to connect youth to support services after a traumatic event.
On average, schools implementing Handle With Care see an 80% reduction in suspensions and a 40% reduction in office referrals.
To meet the demand for training, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council is coordinating a Handle With Care Oklahoma Train the Trainer in 2026. Local implementation teams (law enforcement, schools, behavioral/social/health providers) are encouraged to attend together. The next Train the Trainer is coming up on Wednesday, January 28th from 10-12 so register in the link below today.
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Upstream Drivers of Health Recommendations At a Glance
The Upstream Drivers of Health Workgroup has identified practical steps communities can take to strengthen family and community voice while advancing the Family Resource Center framework.
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Map what already exists by exploring current Family Resource Centers, school-based, and coalition resources and connecting with local leaders to align efforts and identify shared gaps.
View community resource maps:
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Stay connected statewide by completing interest forms for OK SHIP and the Oklahoma Family Support Network to stay informed about meetings, opportunities, and shared resources.
Sign up or learn more:
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Strengthen trauma-informed collaboration by participating in training and workshops that build shared language, vision, and collaborative approaches to family and community stability.
Explore training opportunities:
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Build sustainability through certification by participating in free Standards of Quality National Certification trainings to become a recognized Family Resource Center and increase eligibility for funding.
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Formalize family and youth voice by establishing a Parent and Community Partnership Advisory Committee that strengthens programming and engagement.
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Grow leadership pipelines by recruiting parents and life skills graduates into advisory roles that promote mentoring and long-term community improvement.
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Share outcomes to elevate impact by contributing life skills and community data as part of OK SHIP’s Drivers of Health efforts.
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Pursue collaborative funding by using shared planning tools and language to prepare for future funding opportunities and strengthen partnerships.
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Communicate the model clearly by using Purpose Built Communities resources to help partners and stakeholders understand the Family Resource Center approach.
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Stay engaged through ongoing learning by participating in technical assistance (TA) sessions, communities of practice, and cross-system meetings that support upstream health efforts.
See upcoming TA and meeting schedules:
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Interested in Getting Involved?
To participate in an OK SHIP workgroup meeting or to learn more about current initiatives, please complete and submit the interest form here. We welcome your engagement and look forward to collaborating with you.
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