Norman now has a dedicated city office coordinating its response to homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges. The new Office of Social Services, announced in a city press release on Friday, June 12, launched with two hires: Amanda Sherf as community services manager and Kara Fritts as community outreach social worker.
Sherf, who brings nearly eight years of experience in mental health, substance use treatment and housing services, heads the office. Her role includes coordinating homelessness response across city departments, managing contracts related to homelessness and substance use prevention, and working with businesses, residents, nonprofits and community partners, according to OKC Fox.
"Everyone's concerns are valid," Sherf said in the June announcement. "This population is human, just like you and me. Stability can occur when there is accountability, respect, and a support system in place to help guide someone toward their goals."
Fritts, the outreach social worker, conducts direct outreach at encampments and day shelters, responds to concerns from residents and businesses, and connects individuals with housing, health care, behavioral health services and transportation.
Both positions are funded through proceeds from the Distributors Oklahoma Settlement Agreement, a long-term opioid settlement payout.
Assistant city manager Shannon Stevenson said the hires reflect the city's approach to a complex problem. "Elevating those in crisis takes creative problem-solving and consistent collaborative efforts, which these new team members will be dedicated to," Stevenson said in the June announcement.
A Better Way closes as new office ramps up
The office's creation comes as Norman's A Better Way – Opportunity Knocks program ended in late August after running out of funding. The program, a partnership between the city and Mental Health Association Oklahoma, launched in summer 2025 and paid participants $65 per day to do cleanup work while connecting them with case managers.
From June 2025 to June 2026, ABWOK served more than 200 participants, helped 25 find jobs, connected 17 with housing and linked more than 50 to mental health or substance abuse services, according to KGOU. The program cost about $383,000 per year.
The city applied for an Opioid Abatement Grant in spring 2026 to continue ABWOK but was not awarded the funding. In a statement, the city said the program's end does not signal a reduced commitment to addressing homelessness, substance use and related community needs.
Mental Health Association Oklahoma CEO Carrie Blumert told KGOU the organization is open to restarting the program if additional funding becomes available or if the city allocates money from its general fund.
No source has explicitly linked the new Office of Social Services as a direct replacement for ABWOK. The office was announced in June, two months before the program's closure.
What's ahead
Norman voters approved an $8 million bond on April 7 to build a permanent homeless shelter on Reed Avenue, expected to open by 2028. Sherf discussed her background and the new office on the city's "On West Gray" podcast published Aug. 25.
