We all know her … the woman who isn’t afraid to lead, isn’t afraid to speak up, and never shies away from serving her community. Congratulations, Mimi Tarrasch, honored with the Madam President award from the League of Women Voters of Tulsa.
Mimi Tarrasch is the Executive Senior Director of Women in Recovery (WIR), an innovative program operated by Family & Children’s Services (F&CS) that provides an alternative to incarceration for non-violent, female offenders with addictions and co-occurring trauma and mental health disorders. Tarrasch, a longtime family and child advocate, has over 35 years of experience working in the non-profit sector.
Tarrasch has been part of the senior management team at F&CS, Tulsa’s largest social service agency, for more than 20 years. During her tenure, she has led the development of the agency’s early childhood division and has managed numerous programs and multiple special projects.
In 2009, Tarrasch developed WIR in close partnership with the George Kaiser Family Foundation. WIR’s model is based on a suite of evidence-based practices and services ranging from substance abuse and mental health treatment, safe and sober housing, employment and vocational training, healthcare, wellness activities, recovery support, parenting and relationship skills and continuing care, all of which lead to successful community integration.
As a national leader for incarceration alternatives, Tarrasch actively works with judges, district attorneys, public defenders and social service agencies to create better solutions for women entangled in the criminal justice system. Most recently, the state of Oklahoma and F&CS entered into an innovative funding model, Pay for Success, that combines nonprofit expertise, private funding and independent evaluation to transform chronic social issues. The only contract like it in the country, Pay for Success is aimed at reducing Oklahoma’s female incarceration rate by investing in the successful WIR program.
Tarrasch holds a master’s degree from George Washington University’s School of Education and Human Services.
