The Oklahoma Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that the agency will not have to reduce or eliminate service programs for seniors and people with disabilities which had been previously planned.
The cuts had been set to go into effect on Dec. 1 and Jan. 1. Gov. Mary Fallin approved $26.9 million in short-term funding for DHS as a part of the state budget bill.
"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 Ed Lake, DHS Director. "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 officials will send notes 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.
Agency officials are working to determine how long they can sustain programs with the current funding, and said more details will be released in the coming weeks.
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