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Commission members warned of child‑care accreditation squeeze and potential Head Start cuts
Summary
Commission discussion flagged state DHS changes to Oklahoma’s child‑care star accreditation and a compressed timeline for homes to gain required accreditation, concerns that local providers say are forcing closures and reducing provider pay. Members also urged awareness of proposed federal Head Start funding cuts.
Commissioners heard a sustained discussion about recent state policy moves and funding pressures affecting child‑care providers, with Maria Palacios, director of Early Learning Works by Tulsa Educare, summarizing local effects and next steps.
Palacios told the Tulsa Women’s Commission that Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) issued many providers five‑star ratings, then later required those providers to obtain National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) accreditation to keep the rating. She said the agency set a much shorter timeline than typical accreditation…
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