Sept. 7, 2007

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Aging Services Division (ASD) respectfully requests from the Administration on Aging (AoA) a justifiable, modest 10 percent funding increase for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2008.

Additionally, we request a 10 percent increase ($1,400,046) in 2008 funding for Oklahoma's OAA programs.

*Title III and Title VII – Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging Annual Allocation

Oklahoma

State and Community Programs	2005	2006	2007
Support Services	$4,288,224	$4,278,286	$4,251,385
Congregate Meals	$5,086,472	$5,080,736	$5,110,040
Home Delivered Meals	$2,237,827	$2,218,398	$2,273,417
Prevent Health	$264,615	$261,015	$259,375
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)	$1,874,659	$1,874,664	$1,862,878
Sub-Total	$13,751,797	$13,713,099	$13,757,095
Elder Abuse Prevent	$62,340	$62,375	$62,132
Ombudsman	$172,208	$181,940	$181,238
Sub-Total	$234,548	$244,315	$243,370
Total	$13,986,345	$13,957,414	$14,000,465

       
*Information provided on AoA.gov (Link opens in new window). Information for 2005 and 2006 is shown as final allocation whereas 2007 does not reflect total funding for FY 2007. Total annual funding should be complete by September 2007.

Fast Facts for Oklahoma to be considered:

• Oklahoma’s total population is 3,433,496
• 17.8 percent of the population is age 60 or older (604,313)
• 6.1 percent of the population is between the ages of 55 – 59 (209,443)
• This represents a new group of eligible consumers based on the 2006 re-authorization for GRRC services  
• 61.8 percent of Oklahoma's grandparents live with their grandchildren.
  
  • Oklahoma is second highest in the country (#1 = South Dakota) compared to the U.S. with 42.8 percent
• 23.3 percent of Oklahoma households have one or more persons age 65 or older. That is approximately one in four (1:4)
• Oklahoma received one-tenth of a percent increase in funding between 2005 and 2007.

Additional issues to consider:

• Demographics: Various demographic factors impact the state’s ability to successfully continue administering Older Americans Act (OAA) program-ming, primarily because of the larger number of eligible consumers in need, including:
  
  • General Population Indicators: In just two short years, Oklahoma’s national ranking in the 60+ population has climbed from 20th to 17th.  Oklahoma’s minority segment in the 60+ population (2.6 percent) is significantly higher than the national average (0.6 percent).
  • Economic Indicators: Oklahoma’s per capita income ($27,819) is significantly lower than the national average ($33,041), as is the median household income (Oklahoma = $38,281; U.S. = $44,473). While a recent report indicated that, in general, the country’s household income is rising and poverty rates are falling, Oklahoma is one of only a few states with a rising poverty rate.
  • Socio-Demographic Indicators:  An incredibly high percentage of Oklahomans live in a rural area (36.8 percent). Not surprisingly, 68.3 percent of Oklahoma seniors live in a rural area. Both numbers are well above the national average.
• Minimum wage increase: The impact of the new regulation on Oklahoma’s Area Agencies on Aging, who administer the OAA programs, will be significant. Estimates indicate the impact will be nearly $600,000 annually in new administrative costs.
• Cost of Living increases: Rising fuel costs and other elevated expenses have negatively impacted the number of consumers served with static OAA funding. This has also resulted in fewer available volunteers, which impacts core programs like transportation and home delivered meals.
  
  

Return to the State:

The requested increase in OAA funding ($1,400,046) would allow 5,447 additional Oklahomans to be served, based on the annual client consumption rate of $257.

Note: Information above was found in Fast Facts taken from the U.S. Census Bureau American FactFinder tables based on the 2005 American Community Survey; State of the States in Family Caregiver Support update; U.S. Census (Link opens in new window) ("Household Income Rises, Poverty Rate Declines, Number of Uninsured Up"); Oklahoma 2006.