Tulsa CARES

Tulsa CARES recognizes the critical importance of addressing social determinants of health to improve community health and reduce costs. The agency fulfills its mission through the delivery of social services to those affected by HIV/HCV, and core programs include prevention, medical, care coordination, mental health, housing, and nutrition. The Tulsa CARES model brings essential services together under one roof allowing for integrated, comprehensive, and client-tailored care in a safe, supportive environment.

Tulsa CARES understands the complexities faced by people living with HIV and HCV and specializes in the delivery of individualized, wrap-around support that addresses barriers to care and promotes optimal health. Agency size and narrower client eligibility criteria has positioned Tulsa CARES to become a leading expert and provider of social services for people living with HIV/HCV in Northeastern Oklahoma. The agency has established itself as a safe place that fosters a compassionate, judgment-free environment, and clients overwhelmingly report positive experiences with the agency. Programmatic outcomes are also favorable and demonstrate meaningful improvements in both client health as well as quality of life.

Tulsa CARES is recognized as a state leader in HIV care, and the HCV program is the only one of its kind in the state. There is limited duplication of services at the local level, and Tulsa CARES serves as the beneficiary of a number of HIV-specific funding sources. Tulsa CARES has maintained a strong financial position over the last number of years, and the agency continues to diversify and grow unrestricted funding. Tulsa CARES is connected to a variety of community-wide efforts on health, housing stability, and food security and has maintained a well-respected reputation among partners, funders, and community leaders. Core programs are supported by trained experts in their field who collaboratively work with clients to develop strategies that support client goal achievement, and program staff maintain standards of care consistent with Council on Accreditation guidelines—the agency’s accreditation body—which are evidence-based and reflective of best practices for social services.

Tulsa CARES serves over 1,000 unique clients each year with 25,000+ unique interactions. HIV viral suppression rates are 26% higher than the national average, and more than 100 clients are cured of HCV each year. The agency’s model demonstrates that tailored care coordination and social supports paired with high quality medical treatment can dramatically improve medication adherence and reduce the economic burden on the client and health care system.