Oklahoma reduces Developmental Disabilities Services wait time from 13 years down to 1

Oklahoma Human Services announced that the state has dramatically cut down the waitlist for its Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS).

How much has the wait time reduced?

1. 2022: 13-year wait time
2. 2025: One-year wait time

What the Oklahoma Legislature has done

This all comes after the state allocated funds in 2022 to address a backlog of over 5,000 applicants on the list.

Additionally, the Legislature approved an additional $3 million in 2025 to process the 1,328 applications the service received from 2022 to 2024. DDS said these applicants are divided up into three separate cohorts and will be processed in order based on when they filled out the application.

“With the additional appropriated funds, we successfully reduced the wait for DDS services from 13 years to just one, which is an incredible achievement,” said DDS Division Director Beth Scrutchins. “We are continuing the important work of connecting families with the vital support they need for their loved ones to thrive, and we remain on-track toward becoming a no-wait state.”

How many families are receiving these services?

Oklahoma Human Services reported that 2,352 families are approved or receiving services across all cohorts.

For more information and to fill out an application, click here.

Where can families who have applied get important information to transition into these services?

The agency is hosting several Regional Family Meetings in May for applicants who requested its services between February 2023 and May 2024. DDS said these meetings will give those applicants resources and information as they transition their families into the services.

When are the meetings?

1. The first meeting is at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Oklahoma City Downtown Medical Center.
2. The second will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, at the Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills.
3. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
4. You can register for those meetings by clicking here

Families who applied for DDS services before October 2023 and have not been contacted are urged to reach out by emailing DDS.Waitlist@okdhs.org or calling 405-500-1866.