Oklahoma Human Services Selects Liberty of Oklahoma to Complete Third-Party Assessment of the Waiting List for Disability Services

Keili McEwen, OKDHS Director of Communications
Phone: (405) 343-2292
Email: Keili.McEwen@okdhs.org

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 21, 2021) – Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) announced today that a contract has been awarded to Liberty of Oklahoma to complete a full assessment of the state’s waiting list for Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Services (HCBS) for individuals living with developmental disabilities. This third-party assessment is the first time in the history of the waiting list each person on the list will have their unique needs assessed in order to determine a valid cost estimate for services, as well as to provide families real navigation resources while they wait.

There is a currently a 13-year wait for HCBS in Oklahoma with just over 5,800 individuals waiting.

“I have spent my career in service to Oklahomans living with developmental disabilities,” said OKDHS Chief of Staff and Operations, Samantha Galloway. “It has always been our goal to see the waiting list eliminated. For the first time in twenty years, I believe that goal could be fully realized. The hiring of Liberty represents a transformational opportunity for Oklahoma and is a bold step in the right direction. I am grateful to Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma Legislature for their support.”

If Oklahoma is successful in the elimination of the developmental disabilities waiting list, the state would be one of the first both regionally and nationally.

Regional Data for HCBS Waiting List Services in states surrounding Oklahoma**

• Texas – 156,000 person wait, estimated at 11+ years
• Arkansas –2,800 person wait, estimated at 10 years
• Kansas – 3,500 person wait, estimated at 4 years
• New Mexico – 6,300 person wait, estimated at 10 years
• Colorado – 3,200 person wait, estimated at 7 years

“We are honored to have been selected to help OKDHS realize its commitment to   improve access to critical services for Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Sue Nayda, Liberty’s Chief Operating Officer.

To learn more about Oklahoma Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services, including Home and Community Based Waiver Services, visit this link, or to apply for services, visit this link.

###

**According to medicaidwaiver.org.