Developmental Disabilities Services
What We Do
At Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS), our mission is to empower Oklahomans with developmental disabilities—and their families—to lead safer, healthier and more independent lives. Over the past year, we’ve deepened our commitment to person-centered care, expanding access to services that promote dignity, choice, and community inclusion.
Through individualized support plans and collaborative partnerships, we’ve helped thousands of individuals pursue their goals, strengthen their well-being and thrive in environments where they feel valued and empowered. Every step forward reflects our belief that every person deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
Oklahoma has made a dramatic reduction in the wait time for Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) — from 13 years in 2022 to just one year in 2025.
The shortened wait follows legislative investments beginning in 2022, when the state allocated funds to address a backlog of more than 5,000 applicants. For fiscal year 2025, the Legislature appropriated an additional $3 million to help process 1,328 applications received between May 2022 and May 2024. These applicants (divided into Cohorts 8, 9 and 10) were processed in chronological order based on application date.
Oklahoma Human Services has made significant progress in helping families receive needed support and processing Cohort 10 in May 2025. To date, 7,847 individuals are approved or receiving services across all cohorts.
Expanding Access to Services
DDS has made great strides in eliminating the long-standing wait times for waiver services. Through collaboration with 10 cohorts of families, providers, and stakeholders, we remain on track to end Oklahoma’s 13-year waitlist by June 2026.
Connecting with Families
Regional family meetings are a cornerstone of our outreach efforts. In FY25, DDS hosted 4 large in-person sessions, bringing our total to 30 in-person or virtual sessions across Oklahoma in total since the waitlist initiative began. These have reached thousands of families, connecting them with valuable resources, guidance, and support as they transition off the waitlist.
Additional Information
