For Immediate Release:

November 20, 2024

For more Information Contact:
Sakinah Smith 405-713-1501

Oklahoma County, OK- At today’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, District 1 Chief Deputy Joe R. Blough proposed a proactive approach to supporting indigent services following the closure of the County's Social Services Department on November 1st.

The closure, which eliminated vital services such as pharmaceutical and homeless assistance for the County's most vulnerable residents, was the result of the Oklahoma State Legislature passing, and the Governor signing, Senate Bill 1931 in the last legislative session.

Upon a motion by Blough, the Board unanimously approved three (3) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects that will enable Oklahoma County to continue providing some core social services for its citizens until December 31, 2026.  

The first of the three projects was the commitment by Blough of the remaining District 1 ARPA community support allocation funding, nearly $31,000.00, to cover indigent medical prescriptions provided by the county pharmacy from November 2024 thru December 31, 2025. 

The second project will utilize $30.000.00 from the Local Assistance Tribal Contingency Fund (LATCF). The LATCF is a separate funding source received from the federal government as part of the ARPA related Covid-19 recovery efforts.These funds will provide prescription medications for the indigent thru the county pharmacy from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2026.    

The final project provides $70,000.00 in LATCF funds to the Health Alliance for the Uninsured (HAU).  HAU will use these funds to purchase prescription medications thru the county pharmacy for distribution at their local clinics. According to Blough, when 1931 went into effect, HAU lost its ability to purchase bulk medications at a significantly lower rate from the county pharmacy.  

“Despite the legislature’s action to repeal county social services, today’s action by the BOCC demonstrates our commitment to the well-being of our citizens,” said Blough.  He continued, “I am grateful that Commissioner Davidson and Commissioner Maughan supported these items.” 

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