OKDHS Releases 2009 Annual Report Numbers

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- More than one million Oklahomans received help from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services in fiscal year 2009. The report was released Tuesday at the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services meeting in Oklahoma City. Also, more than half of Oklahoma’s 900,000 children were served by OKDHS through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps), SoonerCare (Medicaid), or by both.
Oklahoma’s economy continues to benefit from OKDHS programs. Some 2,810 grocery stores received $592 million in revenue through SNAP recipients shopping for essentials for their families. Additionally, $299 million was collected from non-custodial parents in support of their children. This is more than a 200 percent increase in 10 years, and is twice the national average. On average, 188,327 Oklahoma families benefited from child support services helping Oklahomans provide for their families, the largest number ever and 35 percent more than five years ago.

The average number of adults participating the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program dropped to 3,200, down from almost 13,000 ten years ago. And, 67 percent of parents receiving cash assistance (TANF) are either employed or in school.

Oklahoma is ranked first among states for quality child care licensing standards and compliance monitoring by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. Last fiscal year, 4,700 child care facilities were licensed with a combined capacity of caring for 137,973 Oklahoma children.

OKDHS continues to make a difference in the lives of Oklahoma children and their families every day. Compared to one year ago, there are now 17 percent fewer children are in foster care. After receiving OKDHS services, more than 72 percent of the children removed from their homes were reunited with their families.

Last fiscal year, 24,165 Oklahomans who are medically fragile and financially eligible for nursing facility placement received care in their own homes through the ADvantage Waiver program. The ADvantage waiver program saved Oklahoma taxpayers $300 million in costs in one year alone through the reduced cost of in-home care compared to in-patient nursing home care.

Of the adults in Oklahoma receiving developmental disabilities services, 60 percent were employed in competitive supported employment; which is the highest percentage in the nation.

To view text version of the OKDHS fiscal year 2009 annual report or video, go to /content/sok-wcm/en/okdhs​.  

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