DHS announces that programs for seniors, disabled won’t be cut Dec. 1

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services announced Tuesday that it will not have to reduce or eliminate service programs for seniors and people with disabilities on Dec. 1 and Jan. 1 as previously planned.

Gov. Mary Fallin approved $26.9 million in short-term funding for the agency when she kept intact parts of the revised budget bill on Friday.

“This funding allows us to stop these devastating cuts and continue providing critical services beyond Dec. 1,” said Ed Lake, DHS director. “However, we are still $42 million short of a balanced budget. We will be working closely with the administration and legislative leaders in the upcoming weeks as they work to develop funding solutions for these services.”

The news was welcomed by Carla Lawson, executive director of Tulsa-based Ability Resources, which helps people with disabilities maintain their independence through advocacy, education and services.

“We are kind of waiting day by day,” she said. “You can imagine the concern from those who depend on these services to stay in the community.”

The agency will begin sending notices this week to service recipients and providers in the ADvantage Waiver program, adult day services, developmental disabilities services adult in-home supports waiver, and DDS sheltered workshop and community integrated employment programs.

The ADvantage Waiver program serves over 21,000 people, said Sheree Powell, a DHS spokeswoman. It provides inhome services to those who would otherwise require care in a nursing home.

Patricia Hadley, 29, of Ponca City, is in the program. She has muscular dystrophy.

“The process has been stressful,” she said.

The adult, in-home supports program for people with disabilities serves a little over 1,400 adults, Powell said. The shelter workshop and community integrated employment program together serve about 1,200 adults, she said.

Another program to be cut Dec. 1 was the use of state funds for senior nutrition, but those were funded last week when the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust provided $1.81 million for the programs, Powell said.

“We already sent notification to those providers last week that those programs would be funded,” she said.

Leaders are working to determine exactly how long the agency can sustain these programs with the current funding and plan to release more details in the upcoming weeks, Powell said.

Fallin on Sept. 25 called the Legislature into special session after the Oklahoma Supreme Court determined lawmakers illegally passed a $1.50 cigarette tax hike as a fee. The move reduced the state budget by $215 million.

Lawmakers adjourned Friday after sending Fallin a budget fix that consisted of using cash and agency cuts to fill the budget hole. Fallin line-item vetoed much of the bill, but left intact temporary funding for social service programs.

She is expected to call back lawmakers for a second special session.