Oklahoma Department of Human Services

The agency presented its budget request to the House Appropriations and Budget Committee Wednesday.

This comes after it recently authorized reductions to child care subsidies for school-age children that were challenged in court.

In an emergency hearing Thursday, Oklahoma County District Court Judge Natalie Mai declined to grant a temporary restraining order in a case filed by the state’s largest child care industry trade association against Oklahoma Human Services.

Oklahoma’s largest trade association for the child care industry is suing the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to stop it from enforcing cuts made to child care subsidies for school-age children.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services will begin furloughs starting Sunday, affecting about 2,300 employees.

The $50 billion rural health fund established in President Donald Trump’s megabill seeks to help stabilize and strengthen rural hospitals and providers.

Licensed child care facilities can now apply to participate in a new program designed to support the recruitment and retention of child care employees.

Oklahoma Human Services is extending the deadline for certain licensed child care facilities to submit proof of an application for or achievement of national accreditation.

The division provides services like caregivers, transportation and job coaches for Medicaid-eligible Oklahomans with developmental or intellectual disabilities.

New rules from the state require certain child care programs to receive national accreditation this year or face funding cuts.