Throughout the week, a van will be stationed in different towns in Oklahoma, stocked with free snacks and health professionals from GRAND Mental Health.

The van is part of a new pilot program launched by GRAND to introduce its services to rural areas in Oklahoma.

Community Engagement Coordinator Lee Johnson from GRAND says this initiative is part of their efforts to “pour” energy into smaller towns.

“We service these communities already, but we don't have a brick and mortar clinic in these areas and so there could be a little bit of a commute,” Johnson said. “And so we thought, what better way to provide services, to provide outreach, then to take it to them?”

GRAND serves 13 counties in Northeast and North Central Oklahoma with a variety of behavioral health, mental health and substance abuse treatment centers.

Johnson said people can visit the van for as little as a warm smile and a snack, or to see what free services they are eligible for.

“If all they need to hear from us is ‘you can do this’ or ‘it's going to be okay,’ we’ve got some fun signs out there that have that motto,” Johnson said.

Services from GRAND Mental Health include individual counseling, family therapy, housing support, job placement assistance, court support and Medicaid enrollment.

Care-A-Van schedule

Pawnee

Tuesday, Aug 27, 9 am – 6 pm
Pawnee Courthouse, 500 Harrison St, Pawnee

Newkirk

Wednesday, Aug 28, 9 am – 6 pm
Kay County Courthouse, 201 S Main St, Newkirk

Tonkawa

Thursday, Aug 29, 9 am – 6 pm
Tonkawa Public Library, 216 N 7th St, Tonkawa

Perkins

Friday, Aug 30, 9 am – 6 pm
Vassar Community Center in the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza
750 N. Main Street, Perkins, OK 74059