ON THE FRONT LINES WITH DHS 2016
Whistling wind.
Old camera snapshot.
It was 80 years ago during the Great Depression when Oklahomans were struggling for survival on the wind-swept plains.
Those dark days paved the way for a new state agency designed to help Oklahomans in need.
Today, that agency is known as the Department of Human Services.
Except for the Great Depression, the demands on the safety net have never been greater.
Oklahoma’s families and individuals face unprecedented rates of change and stress.
And that’s where the DHS comes in.
About one million Oklahomans received some sort of assistance from DHS last year, or one in four people.
Whether it’s child welfare, feeding the hungry or helping the aged, DHS is on the front lines providing a much-needed helping hand.
One of the most-used programs is SNAP, formerly known as “food stamps.”  Last year It helped put food on the table for an average of 600-thousand Oklahomans every month.
That’s an increase of more than 12-thousand SNAP recipients since 2011.
SNAP cost the state of Oklahoma Zero dollars, yet it added more than $860 million federal dollars to family budgets and the state’s economy last year.  
The average price per person, per meal was $3.91.  That’s not a lot of money, but to some it means the difference between having a satisfying, nutritious meal or going to bed hungry.
When it comes to child care standards and oversight of daycare centers, Oklahoma consistently ranks at the top of the list.
Nearly 60-thousand children received subsidized child care last year so their parents or caregivers could work or go to school.
In fact, Oklahoma developed the “Star” rating system for daycare centers, which other states throughout the nation have now adopted.
Parents and caregivers can rest easy knowing their children are being well-cared for.
On the other end of the spectrum are Oklahoma seniors.  DHS has a number of programs to help older Oklahomans lead safer, more independent lives.
The Advantage program provides in-home care to seniors.  It allows them to stay in their own homes and saves taxpayers $300-thousand dollars in nursing home costs.
Nutritious home-delivered meals help older Oklahomans have a well-balanced diet.  An added benefit is the companionship, as the person delivering the meals may be the only interaction that senior has each day. 
When families can no longer stay together, DHS’ Child Support Services makes sure non-custodial parents help provide for their kids.
Last year, DHS collected a record $372 million dollars in child support.  That means more than 224-thousand children across the state received the support they need.
Oklahomans with developmental disabilities also benefit from DHS services.
Last year more than five thousand individuals received home and community-based services.  60 percent of adults receiving services have jobs, and that is one of the highest rates in the nation, more than double the national average!
Every child deserves a loving, happy home and DHS works every day to make sure that happens.
DHS finalized more than two-thousand adoptions last year.  Per capita, Oklahoma adoptions are twice the rate of the national average.  
And the Pinnacle Plan continues working to improve Oklahoma’s foster care system, helping reunite children with their families whenever possible, but always making sure the child’s safety is the top priority.
So as you can see, the demands on the safety net are the highest they’ve been since the Great Depression.  
But Oklahomans can rest assured the Department of Human Services is on their side, whatever the need, making sure everyone leads a healthier, safer, more independent and productive life.