For several years, 1st Step has pursued certification through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It has been a goal rooted not only in compliance but in our commitment to delivering the highest standard of care to the young men we serve.

The journey, however, has not been a simple one.

On at least three separate occasions, we worked diligently to assemble the required materials and navigate the certification process. Each time, we made progress—but ultimately fell short. The challenge was not a lack of commitment or vision. Rather, we did not yet have the right structure of support and expertise to carry the process across the finish line.

That has now changed.

We are pleased to share that 1st Step has entered into a formal partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding with TLC Counseling Services. In addition, we are deeply grateful for the guidance of Leslie Smith, who is helping shepherd us through the complexities of the certification process with clarity and precision.

With this strengthened team in place, we have officially submitted our application and are actively working with the Department to provide any additional documentation required. While there is still work to be done, we are now moving forward with confidence and momentum.

This milestone represents more than a procedural achievement. Certification will open a new and sustainable stream of revenue through billable services, strengthening the long-term stability of the program. Just as importantly, it brings an added level of legitimacy and accountability to our work—affirming that the habilitative model we have built meets rigorous clinical and operational standards.

At its core, this step forward reinforces what we have always believed: that the young men we serve deserve not only a second chance, but a program grounded in excellence, integrity, and measurable impact.

We look forward to sharing continued progress in the months ahead.