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Foster father and recovery advocate urges collaboration across systems at OCCY meeting
Summary
Mitch Sutter, a member of the Parent Partnership Board, told the commission his personal recovery story and urged better collaboration among courts, law enforcement and treatment providers to steer people into treatment and support family recovery.
Mitch Sutter, a member of the Parent Partnership Board and a foster, step and biological father, addressed the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth with a personal account of long-term substance use and recovery and a call for cross‑system collaboration.
Sutter described 8-plus years in active addiction and the death of his first son in 2011 as formative trauma that contributed to substance use. He said drug court and treatment changed his trajectory. "Recovery is possible. It brings families together," Sutter said, closing his remarks.
Sutter said his experience included performing work as a peer recovery support specialist, coordinating a drug court program he once attended, and working on a SAMHSA grant to support a reentry and diversion program that prioritizes treatment over incarceration. He urged better coordination among judges, district attorneys, law enforcement and treatment providers so individuals are steered into effective options for them rather than fragmented local practices.
Commissioners thanked Sutter for speaking and noted the courage of sharing a personal story; Sutter responded that he was "100% an open book" and invited questions about what systems helped him most.
Ending: Commissioners said they appreciated the personal testimony and the reminder that cross‑system cooperation can help families access treatment and support stable reunification.
