Oklahoma Moves to Secure Long-Term Stability for Child Care Sector Amid Funding Pressures

Oklahoma Human Services has announced a series of measures aimed at stabilising the state’s child care sector as it faces the combined challenges of expiring federal COVID-era funding, rising enrolment, and delays in federal child care awards following the recent US government shutdown. The update was delivered during a 10 December meeting in Oklahoma City, marking a significant moment for a sector under sustained pressure.

Major Funding Request Signals State’s Intent

The briefing comes on the heels of a major proposal submitted in October, in which the agency requested nearly $70m in state funding to avert what officials described as future “funding cliffs”. If approved, the request would rank among the largest child care funding initiatives in Oklahoma’s history, signalling a shift toward more robust long-term investment.

Director Calls for Unified Support

Speaking before providers and advocates at the Child Care Advisory Committee meeting, Director Jeffrey Cartmell urged sector partners to rally behind a more predictable, sustainable funding strategy.

“The system cannot continue to swing between emergency funding and emergency cuts,” Cartmell said. “Oklahomans need reliable, high-quality child care access for working families, and stable funding is the only way forward.”

End of Federal Relief Creates Funding Gap

During the pandemic, federal assistance helped expand access to care, strengthen school-age services, and raise reimbursement rates for providers. These one-off funds were instrumental in preventing widespread closures across the state. After they were fully exhausted, Oklahoma Human Services used Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds as a short-term solution to prevent loss of access for families.

However, with no new appropriations approved to replace these supports, the agency determined the emergency-era expansions could no longer be sustained. At the same time, operating costs have increased and finalised Child Care and Development Fund awards for the current year have been delayed due to the federal shutdown.

Policy Adjustments to Avoid System-Wide Disruption

To prevent broader instability, the agency has introduced several immediate adjustments. These include pausing new subsidy approvals for school-aged children and discontinuing a temporary $5-per-day add-on previously funded through federal relief.

The agency is prioritising the most vulnerable groups to ensure continuity of care—infants and toddlers, children in foster placements, those receiving adoption assistance, children experiencing homelessness, and those with complex medical or developmental needs.

Families who already receive school-age subsidies will continue to do so until their standard renewal date. Applications for new subsidies for children aged six and above are paused, although eligibility rules for foster children, children with special needs, and other priority categories remain unchanged. Parents can check renewal timelines on OKDHSLIVE.org.

Looking Ahead: Building a Stable Child Care System

Oklahoma Human Services emphasised its intention to work closely with families, providers, advocates, and state leaders as the proposed $70m funding request moves through the decision-making process. The agency describes the request as a critical step toward building a more predictable and resilient child care system.

If approved, the funding would help offset the loss of federal support and give providers greater confidence to maintain staffing, expand capacity, and pursue quality improvements.

Conclusion

For now, agency leaders say the stabilisation measures are necessary to avoid sudden disruptions across the sector. With demand increasing and costs rising, the ultimate goal is to ensure Oklahoma families can depend on consistent, high-quality child care, regardless of economic uncertainty or federal policy shifts.