DHS Announces No Program Cuts On December 1

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services announced Tuesday the agency will not have to reduce or eliminate service programs for seniors and people with disabilities on December 1 and January 1 as previously planned.  

Governor Mary Fallin approved $26.9 million in short-term funding for the agency when she kept intact parts of the revised budget bill on November 17, DHS said in a news release. 

"This funding allows us to stop these devastating cuts and continue providing critical services beyond December 1; however, we are still $42 million short of a balanced budget," said DHS Director Ed Lake. "We will be working closely with the administration and legislative leaders in the upcoming weeks as they work to develop funding solutions for these services.

DHS will begin sending official notices this week to service recipients and providers in the Advantage Waiver program, Adult Day Services, Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) Adult In-Home Supports Waiver, and DDS Sheltered Workshop and Community Integrated Employment programs.   

DHS said agency leaders are working to determine exactly how long the agency can sustain these programs with the current funding and plan to release more details in the upcoming weeks.