For media inquiries, contact:
Ryan Stewart, Oklahoma Human Services, DDS Communications Coordinator
Phone:405-549-9188
Email:Ryan.Stewart@okdhs.org
Oklahoma Human Services continues to stay on track to end the 13-year Developmental Disability Services (DDS) waitlist as Cohort 3 begins to receive services.
After a historic investment from the Legislature, nearly 5,000 applications were divided into seven cohorts to receive services based on when they joined the waitlist. Once contact is made with families, there is a six- to nine-month process to transition someone off the waitlist and onto services.
As of Sept. 30, 37% of Cohort 3 is already approved or receiving services. Cohort 3 includes 914 applicants who joined the waitlist between April 2012 and December 2013.
“We are fulfilling our initial promise to process the 13-year waitlist within 24 months,” said DDS Division Director Beth Scrutchins. “Seeing the effect these efforts have on Oklahoma families has been the greatest gift to our staff.”
To date, nearly 1,300 families from the waitlist are approved or receiving services from all cohorts. For Cohorts 1-3, 40% are approved or receiving services, which matches the average waiver approval historically.
“This is a huge accomplishment, and it cannot be understated,” said Dr. Deb Shropshire, director of Oklahoma Human Services. “We will continue to work hard to make sure Oklahomans can access the vital services they need.”
Oklahoma Human Services is committed to making Oklahoma a no-wait state for DDS services and continues to move toward that goal. DDS has been hosting regional meetings called PossABLE to help families navigate the transition from the waitlist to services.
The next regional family meeting is a virtual option on Nov. 9. In-person meetings are also scheduled for Dec. 5 in Broken Arrow and Dec. 6 in Oklahoma City. To learn more or sign up, families can call 844-944-9301, or visit bit.ly/possable.
Families on the waitlist are encouraged to update their information by contacting DDS.Waitlist@okdhs.org or 405-500-1866.
For more information, visit the DDS waitlist dashboard.
