JD McCarty Center to open new ABA outpatient clinic after $6 million ARPA award; budget request flat

JD McCarty Center Director Michael (last name not recorded in the hearing transcript) told the Senate Health and Human Services subcommittee that his Norman‑based pediatric rehabilitation hospital will expand outpatient applied behavior analysis (ABA) services after receiving $6 million in ARPA funds.

"JD McCarty Center is licensed as a specialized pediatric rehabilitation hospital," Michael said, describing a broad catalog of services including pediatric neurology, orthopedics, audiology, applied behavior analysis, occupational and physical therapy, speech and language pathology, and free therapeutic service screenings.

Nut graf: The center asked for a flat state appropriation for FY‑26 but will use federal ARPA funding to build a new outpatient ABA clinic expected to open later in the summer. The expansion aims to increase ABA capacity from a 12‑child program to at least 30 children at 30 hours per week and to reserve slots for adolescents.

Key details

Scope of services and population: Michael said JD McCarty serves roughly 1,000 unique families annually and operates a $30 million hospital on a $4.75 million state appropriation. The center provides free therapeutic screenings to families statewide and performs targeted outreach in rural communities via quarterly mobile screening events.

ABA expansion: The center reported that its current outpatient ABA clinic was at capacity (12 children, 30 hours/week). The new ARPA‑funded facility will increase capacity to a minimum of 30 patients at 30 hours/week and reserve six spots for older adolescents whose needs are often not met by private ABA providers.

Workforce and costs: Michael said recruiting qualified clinicians remains a challenge though nursing recruitment has improved over the past year. He cited a recent procurement cooperation with OMES and the OU School of Pharmacy that saved approximately $10,000 on pharmaceuticals.

Community outreach: Michael described quarterly outreach screenings conducted off campus (for example at schools or community centers) to connect families with services; the center will notify local legislators roughly three months before outreach events to help spread the word.

Ending: With a flat appropriation request for FY‑26, JD McCarty is proceeding with ARPA‑funded construction and asked the panel to continue supporting workforce and program development.