For media inquiries, contact:
Ryan Stewart, OKDHS, DDS Communications Coordinator
Phone: 405-549-9188
Ryan.Stewart@okdhs.org
44% of Cohort 2 Approved for DDS Services
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 25, 2023) — Oklahoma Human Services remains on track to end the Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) waitlist, as evidenced by the Cohort 2 data released today. In May 2022, DDS committed to processing 4,993 waitlist applicants within two years. The agency divided applicants into seven cohorts based on when they joined the waitlist, with a timeline to process each.
As of June 30, 44% of Cohort 2 is approved for services, reflecting the historic average of DDS waiver approvals. Cohort 2 includes 440 applicants who joined the waitlist between February 2011 and March 2012.
“We're making strides in our mission to move families off the DDS waitlist and onto services,” said Dr. Deb Shropshire, director of Oklahoma Human Services. “Our commitment remains strong, and we're determined to ensure every eligible Oklahoman receives the support they need.”
Once contact is made with families, the process to transition someone onto services is a 6–to-9-month process. DDS continues to fulfill its initial timeline and is currently processing cohorts 3–5.
To date, more than 900 waitlist families are approved or receiving services from all cohorts.
“We’ve met with hundreds of families at our PossABLE regional family meetings to help them navigate the process to realize the opportunities available for their loved ones, and it’s been incredible to see them gain access to services they’ve been waiting for,” said DDS Division Director Beth Scutchins. “The work is not over, but we are excited about the progress we’ve made so far and all Oklahomans in need remain on track to receive services by June 2024.”
Oklahoma Human Services is committed to make Oklahoma a no-wait state for DDS services and continues to move toward that goal.
The DDS waitlist dashboard is available at
https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/dd/ddswaitlist.html.
Waitlist families are encouraged to update their contact information by contacting
DDS.Waitlist@okdhs.org or 866-521-3571.
