Coordinating Wellness: EMBARK Well and the ICAM Vision in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City is known for the “Oklahoma Standard”. It’s the way people show up for each other when it matters the most. The spirit is woven into the city’s everyday life. When residents first voted for the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) sales tax over 30 years ago, they weren’t just approving projects, they were choosing to invest in neighborhood vitality and quality of life. MAPS is a voter-approved, 1-cent sales tax dedicated to major community projects. It uses a pay‑as‑you‑go model to ensure each initiative is fully funded before construction begins. Over multiple MAPS rounds, the program has built parks, senior wellness centers, family centers, transit improvements, and other public amenities that strengthen neighborhoods. These projects didn’t just change how the city looked; they gave people more chances to connect. 

City leaders wanted to use MAPS initiatives to modernize public transit to reduce heavy reliance on cars, connect residential neighborhoods to major employment hubs, and stimulate economic development. They also recognized that many older adult residents lack the ability to get to the places that can help them stay healthy, active, and involved.

That’s where EMBARK comes in.

EMBARK is the public transportation system throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, and their work is about helping people live well. For older adults, that idea came to life through EMBARK Well, a program that offers free rides to wellness centers, exercise classes, cooking programs, and social activities. These rides aren’t just transportation. They help people stay part of their community and keep for the activities, relationships and routines that make life meaningful.

To support people at every stage of life and to help them reach the places that keep them healthy and connected, EMBARK is using funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) pilot program to remodel and improve their one-call, one-click center. Funds were also used to purchase additional vehicles that make using transit barrier-free for Oklahoma City residents of all ages and abilities.