For years, Oklahomans seeking state disability services have been met with decade-long wait times.
In 2022, the Legislature appropriated $32.5 million to the Department of Human Services to end a waitlist of more than 5,000 applicants that dated back 13 years.
Now, the department has worked through the substantial backlog of thousands of people seeking support from the Developmental Disabilities Services division. Its latest numbers show the wait time for services has decreased from 13 years to two.
According to the Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) division, 40% of applicants, or 2,036 families are currently approved for or receiving services.
DDS services include things like caregivers, transportation and job coaches for Medicaid-eligible Oklahomans with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
But according to DDS Division Director Beth Scrutchins, services can look very different for each individual.
“We just recently had someone whose name came up on the waitlist who had not been able to get out of their bedroom for four years,” Scrutchins said. “And with the architectural modifications and a wheelchair, he's actually able to leave his house now.”
Scrutchins said she hopes the division can continue decreasing wait times.
“My hope is that we become that true ‘no wait’ state, where we are here for you, providing services and supports when you need us,” she said.
She said change wouldn’t have been possible without support from state lawmakers and community stakeholders.
For fiscal year 2025, the Legislature appropriated an additional $3 million to help process 1,328 applications received between May 2, 2022, and October 31, 2023. These applicants will be processed in chronological order based on application date.
This is a portion of the 3,000 people who have applied for DDS services since the first investment went into effect on May 2, 2022. Of the 3,000 applicants, 60% are children under the age of 18.
For the second time in two years, lawmakers also approved funding to increase rates for Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) provider agencies. Rates were raised by 10-25% in October.
Scrutchins said this is another important part of the equation – DDS provider agencies employ habilitation training specialists and other direct support professionals who assist individuals with developmental disabilities.
“I can see now, after being at developmental disabilities [division] for years,” Scrutchins said, “I can see the day where we become that ‘no wait’ state.”
