OK County Commissioner Carrie Blumert announces resignation, will be CEO for MHAOK

OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) - Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert has announced her resignation and will be the next CEO for Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK).

Blumert became Oklahoma County Commissioner for District 1 in 2018. Blumert says for the past six years, she has worked towards improving the criminal justice system, making affordable housing accessible and bringing awareness to mental health.

In a statement from Blumert, she reflects on her time as commissioner as she looks forward to her future as CEO of MHAOK.

"Mental health care has been my passion from day one and will continue to be my north star. I am excited to take on this new journey at Mental Health Association Oklahoma as their new CEO. When I first filed for office back in 2017, my intent was to improve mental health care for Oklahomans. I am proud of the progress we have made through my work as Commissioner, and I look forward to continuing that work as CEO at MHAOK." said Blumert.

Officials say MHAOK is a nonprofit that focuses on mental health and homelessness. The nonprofit advocates for mental health, suicide prevention, ending homelessness, and remodeling the justice system.

"Finally, I sincerely thank the outstanding community and voters in District 1 who put their trust in me. It has been an honor to serve you. Thank you to my incredible staff in District 1, my fellow County Elected Officers, and all the incredible staff at Oklahoma County. You show up every day to serve our community with very little thanks. I could not have done this important work without you." Blumert added.

According to Oklahoma County officials, Blumert's last day in office will be September 30, 2024. She will begin her position as CEO of MHAOK on October 1, 2024.

Blumert's complete statement can be found below:

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent Oklahoma County District 1 as County Commissioner for the past six years. I chose to run for County Commissioner in 2018 because I wanted to serve the people of Oklahoma County. I felt that I could make a difference in improving our criminal justice system, increasing access to affordable housing, and advocating for mental health care. I am so proud of the work we have done as a community over the last 6 years, and I feel this is the next right step in my career and in my service to Oklahoma.

I am most proud of my work on securing MAPS4 funding for new crisis centers, an addiction treatment center, and supportive housing for people living with mental illness. I am also extremely proud of leading the effort to build a new Behavioral Care Center next to our new jail that will provide mental health treatment instead of incarceration. 

Mental health care has been my passion from day one and will continue to be my north star. I am excited to take on this new journey at Mental Health Association Oklahoma as their new CEO. When I first filed for office back in 2017, my intent was to improve mental health care for Oklahomans. I am proud of the progress we have made through my work as Commissioner, and I look forward to continuing that work as CEO at MHAOK.

MHAOK is the state’s premier boots-on-ground nonprofit whose expertise and work exist primarily at the intersection of mental illness and homelessness – fighting every day to promote mental health, prevent suicide, end homelessness, and transform the justice system. MHAOK follows the Housing First model which prioritizes safe and supportive housing as the first step toward treatment and stability. My last day in office as County Commissioner will be September 30, 2024. I will begin my position as CEO on October 1, 2024.

Finally, I sincerely thank the outstanding community and voters in District 1 who put their trust in me. It has been an honor to serve you. Thank you to my incredible staff in District 1, my fellow County Elected Officers, and all the incredible staff at Oklahoma County. You show up every day to serve our community with very little thanks. I could not have done this important work without you."

Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert