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Oklahoma

Task Force

The Olmstead Strategic Planning Work Group, established through 2002 legislation, requires consumers, state agencies and organizations that serve people with disabilities to develop a plan to provide services in the most integrated setting. The initiative is being coordinated by a myriad of organizations that have donated money and time to ensure of the completion of the plan.

The committee will submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and governor by July 15, 2003, and each July 15 thereafter, as necessary, until completion of the comprehensive strategic plan.

The Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Human Services, the Health Care Authority, and the Department of Mental Health are the lead agencies and may use the expertise of House and Senate staff.

Organization members include, but are not limited to, centers for independent living, the Developmental Disability Council, Oklahoma AbleTech, the Statewide Independent Living Council, the Oklahoma Policy Consortium, the Brain Injury Association, Tulsa ARC, the Long-Term Care Authority, Oklahoma People First, Tulsa and the OKC housing authorities, the Housing and Finance Agency, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, the National MS Society, the Community Action Agency of OKC, the Oklahoma Disability Law Center, the Oklahoma Mental Health Consumer Council, OASIS, and home health and case management organizations.

State agencies include, but are not limited to, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), the Department of Human Services (DHS), the DHS Department of Aging Services, the DHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division, the Department of Transportation, the Office of State Finance, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the Department of Mental Health, the Employment Security Commission, Oklahoma State University, the Center for Learning and Leadership, the Office of Handicapped Concerns, the Department of Health, the Attorney General's Office, the Department of Education, and the Department of Labor.

Members from the House and Senate, parents, family members, individuals with disabilities, advocates and others also are represented.

The group will develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for Oklahomans with disabilities, pursuant to the Olmstead decision by:

• Reviewing Oklahoma's service delivery system and the way in which people with disabilities currently gain access to the services;
• Reviewing existing statutes, policies, programs, services and funding sources that affect Oklahomans with disabilities, including, but not limited to, identifying unique approaches and strategies to funding;
• Identifying and reviewing funding and resource information that are available to people with disabilities and their families in the state; and
• Identifying gaps and barriers in programs and services to individuals with disabilities and making any recommendations to enhance programs and the delivery system for people with disabilities in Oklahoma.

Implementation

As noted, Senate Bill 1512 was signed by the governor on May 30, 2002, to create the Strategic Planning Work Group on the Olmstead decision. The committee will develop a comprehensive, strategic plan to implement the state's response to the ruling, including examining statutes, policies, service delivery, funding, and program gaps and barriers.

The work group received donations and in-kind support to contract with a facilitator to organize the work group process.

Five committees have been established: The Dollar Follows the Individual, Diversion, Community Supports, Quality Assurance, and Budget and Finance. All committees meet in a central location at the same time to accommodate everyone's schedule and to allow maximum stakeholder participation.

Existing budget shortfalls have the attention of most Oklahomans. Focusing on the plan without reacting to the obvious budgetary barriers will be an issue.

A lawsuit has been filed in Federal Court to prevent cuts to prescription drug coverage in the Home and Community-Based Waiver.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services' Aging Division was awarded two of the three systems change grants: Real Choice Systems Change and Community-Integrated Personal Assistance Services and Supports. The money will be used to strengthen the infrastructure that supports the availability of personal assistance services in a manner that affords consumers maximum control over the selection of individuals working on their behalf. It also will be used to develop intermediary services organizations (ISOs) to serve as consumers' business agents and consultants for employer responsibilities.

BACK TO APPENDIX B

BACK TO OLMSTEAD STATUS REPORT