The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) sends this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 28, 2026) – Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) presented its SFY2027 budget request to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, highlighting that even as a historic federal shutdown created disruptions across the system, OKDHS maintained its focus on strengthening programs that support vulnerable Oklahomans, protect children, and help families move from crisis to stability toward flourishing.
OKDHS emphasized that Oklahomans rely on these essential programs during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. While the Agency has long measured its work by the volume of services delivered, Director Jeffrey Cartmell noted that success must increasingly be measured by outcomes, and by the extent to which people regain their footing and move toward stronger, more resilient futures. He credited staff for that progress and for their disciplined commitment to accountability, compassion, and excellence.
“When someone reaches out to us, more often than not they are facing a moment of instability,” said Director Jeffrey Cartmell. “Our staff help steady that moment, with a clear belief that these programs should equip people to move forward, not hold them back. The progress we’re reporting today exists because our workforce takes that responsibility seriously and delivers these services with integrity.”
OKDHS outlined a clear vision for the years ahead built on accuracy, stronger controls, and a path that helps Oklahomans move through challenging periods toward a more self-sufficient future. This direction aligns with statewide goals and reflects Oklahoma’s leadership in strengthening its programs. The pillars below illustrate key elements of that vision.
Make Oklahoma the safest place in the country for children.
Oklahoma is implementing a comprehensive approach to child safety that strengthens protection in homes, in out-of-home care, and in child care settings statewide.
- Advancing the Child Welfare Safety Practice Model so every decision begins with the same standard: Is the child safe? This work builds on progress that reduced children in custody from more than 11,000 to about 5,800 and 94% of children achieving permanency.
- Strengthening child care oversight and safe sleep enforcement across licensed programs, backed by 13,000+ annual monitoring visits that identify risks early and ensure safer environments for children.
- Sustaining Oklahoma’s national leadership in child support, including paternity establishment and medical enforcement rates — and supporting programs like PATHS, which helps parents experiencing domestic abuse pursue financial stability safely.
This progress reflects not only where the work stands today, but where the Agency is going. OKDHS is building toward a future in which prevention, family support, and community partnerships reduce system involvement and keep more children safely at home.
Ensure our vulnerable adults live and age with dignity.
Oklahoma Human Services is building stronger supports that help vulnerable adults, aging Oklahomans and people with disabilities, live safely and maintain as much independence as possible. These services are becoming increasingly vital as the state’s adult population grows; by 2034, adults 65 and over are projected to outnumber children for the first time in Oklahoma’s history.
- Further reducing the DDS waitlist from more than 13 years to roughly one year, allowing Oklahomans with developmental disabilities to access services far sooner and plan their lives with greater stability.
- Expanding home- and community-based supports so older adults can remain safely in their homes, including assistance for more than 26,000 ADvantage members each year.
- Improving access to nutrition and daily supports through programs that delivered more than 2 million meals at senior sites statewide in SFY2025 alone, helping older adults maintain health, connection, and independence.
These services reflect a steady, person-centered approach grounded in dignity, safety, and long-term well-being.
Strengthen the safety net and make Oklahoma the hardest place to commit fraud.
OKDHS is advancing its commitment to helping Oklahomans navigate hardship and regain security, while also reinforcing the accuracy and integrity of public programs. This work protects benefits for eligible families, strengthens public confidence, and ensures responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources.
- SNAP fraud-detection tools prevented $3.47 million in fraudulent transactions.
- Investigations identified $7.1 million in overpayments and disqualified 801 individuals for confirmed fraud.
- Additional staff and upgraded tools are being deployed to detect fraud, pursue bad actors, and strengthen verification and quality-assurance processes.
OKDHS is continuing to modernize its eligibility systems, strengthen training, and aligning quality-assurance efforts across divisions to ensure benefits are delivered correctly and consistently.
A Stronger Agency, For A Stronger Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Human Services is focused on strengthening its programs so Oklahomans receive consistent, reliable support when they need it most, stabilize more quickly, and have the opportunity to flourish. In closing, OKDHS expressed gratitude for the staff who make this work possible and emphasized that the Agency’s mission is ultimately measured in the lives of the people it serves.
“Every number we shared today represents a person — a child who found permanency, an adult with job training to join the workforce, or a family that regained stability,” Director Cartmell said. “Our work begins and ends with the people we serve. Their safety, their dignity, and their futures are the standard we measure ourselves against and the progress we are committed to delivering for Oklahoma.”
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