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Norman pursues $3M-per-year SAMHSA grant for outreach, sobering center; council probes Continuum of Care service agreement
Summary
City staff asked council about an extension of a service agreement with Thunderbird Clubhouse to act as collaborative applicant for the Continuum of Care and described a SAMHSA NOFO that would fund street outreach and a sobering center ($3 million per year for four years, no match). Council members pressed for performance metrics, liability details and how HUD policy changes might affect funding.
Council members questioned staff about the city’s service agreement with the Continuum of Care (COC) collaborative applicant and a new federal opportunity through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
City staff said Thunderbird Clubhouse remains the collaborative applicant under the existing service agreement and that the contract's listed activities reflect HUD requirements. Staff said the contract review focuses on whether required activities are performed (meetings, PIT count, coordinated case management) and that more outcome‑focused performance metrics (e.g., placements in permanent supportive housing) may be tracked by partner agencies rather than listed in the city’s service agreement.
On item 27 staff described a SAMHSA NOFO that the city identified as an opportunity: $3,000,000 per year for four years with no local match. The city plans to enhance street outreach and potentially open a sobering center if awarded. Staff named Red Rock Behavioral Health Services as a proposed partner that would provide evidence‑based practices including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and screening/brief intervention and referral to treatment. Staff noted the NOFO requires quarterly reporting and that a data collection and reporting tool will be provided after an award.
Council members asked about liability, operations and whether the city would lease or own any space; staff said Red Rock would contract to operate and assume liability for leased/owned space while the city would pass-through funds and contract with the provider. Police representatives said a sobering center could reduce time officers spend at county jail and might be faster to process persons in need; they described typical sobering‑center stays as voluntary and averaging several hours.
Council did not take final funding action tonight but discussed oversight, data reporting and next steps for a potential grant application.
