OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, who chairs the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Human Services, today applauded the work of the Oklahoma Dept. of Human Services (DHS) for their work to clear the Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) waitlist, which provides resources to people with a primary diagnosis of intellectual disabilities through home and community-based waivers.

DHS announced in a press conference Monday that approximately 150 individuals will begin receiving aid following the Legislature's historic $32.5 million appropriation to eliminate the DDS waitlist. At the time of the appropriation, over 5,100 families were on the waitlist. That number is currently 3,933.

"The effort to eliminate the Developmental Disabilities Services waiting list has been an all-hands-on-deck effort for many years," Lawson said. "Some families have been waiting over a decade to receive this support, but were stuck in limbo due to a backlog caused by a lack of state funding.

Finally, thanks to last year's appropriation, more and more Oklahomans with developmental disabilities will soon receive the relief they need to live a life of dignity and ensure these families have every tool available. I'm glad this process is finally underway and hope the amazing staff at DHS will work quickly to provide these services to Oklahomans in need."