Why Modus Exists: Closing the Transportation Gap for Tulsa Families
For many families in Tulsa, the journey to healing, stability, and reunification begins not in a courtroom or a classroom—but in the front seat of a car.
In 2018, the Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood Community Group in Tulsa set out to understand the most significant barriers facing families with children from birth to five. Their goal was to improve access to early childhood mental health services through strong community collaboration and evidence-based practices.
One barrier stood out above the rest: transportation.
While mental health and social services exist throughout Tulsa, they’re often scattered across the city—far from the neighborhoods that need them most. For families without a car, attending a single appointment could mean hours on public transit, missed work, and undue stress. For families in crisis, it wasn’t just inconvenient. It was impossible.
The impact was measurable. Missed and cancelled appointments created significant delays in care and drove up agency costs. In just one month, 32% of appointment no-shows were linked to transportation issues.
That’s when the community group took action.
After months of exploring volunteer agencies, case management hours, and ride-share options, the group partnered with the Safe Babies Court Team to pilot a new approach—reliable, no-cost rides through a local nonprofit called Modus.
A Pilot That Changed Everything
Launched in October 2018, the pilot offered 40 rides per family to help parents attend court-ordered services and meet obligations tied to child reunification. It wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it was about ensuring families had a fair shot at healing and moving forward.
The results were powerful:
298 rides were scheduled during the pilot
Only 10 rides were missed by clients
Families could schedule multiple appointments in one day, reducing time off work and stress
7 out of 8 families participating in the pilot worked toward successful reunification
Families reported increased confidence, hope, and accountability
Drivers became trusted figures, offering consistency, dignity, and even encouragement
The community saw fewer missed appointments, stronger service participation, and improved family case outcomes. The ripple effects were both financial and generational, saving the system time and resources, and offering families a real shot at long-term stability.
From Pilot to Mission
The success of this pilot led to something bigger: a dedicated effort to make transportation a bridge, not a barrier. That effort became Modus.
Today, Modus is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with over 25 agencies and provides an average of 550 rides per month to people of all ages. Our mission is to remove barriers through innovative transportation solutions, education, and advocacy. Our work is powered by volunteer drivers who go beyond the call of duty every single day.
Modus exists because no one should miss out on care, opportunity, or reunification simply because they can’t get there. We know that transportation is access, and access is the foundation of hope.
You Can Drive Change
Every ride we give is a step toward better health, stronger families, and a more equitable Tulsa. But we can’t do it without you.
🚗 Donate to support our mission
🔗 Read more stories of impact at modustulsa.org
Together, we can build a Tulsa where no one is left behind—because transportation access isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline.
