OKDHS Director responds to budget deal, agency funding

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State budget negotiators and legislative leaders reached a budget deal today which included a $44 million increase in appropriations for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. 

“We are extremely grateful to Governor Fallin and the Legislature for their strong support of our funding priorities which include improvements to our foster care system, addressing the waiting list for developmental disabilities services, and rate increases for our aging and developmental disabilities providers," said Ed Lake, OKDHS Director. 

“We are at a critical juncture in the implementation of the Pinnacle Plan. We had hoped to move a number of the initiatives scheduled for year three of the plan to this coming year, but this sizeable investment will still allow us to continue moving forward at a rapid pace. It is important to our success in achieving the goals of the Pinnacle Plan to receive this significant level of funding. It is so encouraging that the Legislature recognizes this as a continuing priority for our state.“

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