Human Services ensures ARPA funds make a meaningful difference in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The OMES Grants Management Office proudly congratulates Oklahoma Human Services for their swift progress and responsible implementation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by the state Legislature during 2023. In the last year, lawmakers entrusted the human services agency with the oversight of 14 ARPA programs, the most of any state entity, and OHS wasted no time in forging ahead on all projects to invest in the well-being of Oklahomans as we collectively move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing critical needs and long-term impacts from the pandemic, OHS has demonstrated exceptional efficiency in deploying ARPA funds. One project currently underway is OHS’ partnership with Food on the Move, a massive undertaking to increase access to affordable and nutritious food across the state. With $3 million in ARPA funds allocated, this program is creating a unique food distribution and storage network for supporting healthy locally grown food. The initiative also benefits Oklahoma farmers by providing additional access to local markets and reducing food waste.

Through careful planning and responsible execution, OHS and all other state agencies have made great strides in 2023 to utilize ARPA funds to meet the needs of Oklahoma communities. We are thankful for the dedication and diligence shown by all our agency partners and look forward to all programs progressing further and resulting in positive outcomes for the people of our state.

For a full list of all ARPA programs, view the 2023 SLFRF report. To track live progress of all State of Oklahoma ARPA programs, check out the new ARPA Program Tracker dashboard.

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About OMES
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Provide excellent service, expert guidance and continuous improvement in support of our partners’ goals. For more information, visit oklahoma.gov/omes. For more information on the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) progress, visit oklahoma.gov/arpa.

OMES media contact

Christa Helfrey
christa.helfrey@omes.ok.gov