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Tulsa Women’s Commission approves minutes and raises alarm over DHS 5‑star childcare requirement
Summary
The commission approved last month’s minutes and discussed a state order — described in the meeting as Governor Stitt’s requirement for DHS 5‑star ratings by September — that commissioners said could force many childcare providers to close without funding and accreditation support.
The Tulsa Women’s Commission approved the previous month’s minutes by voice vote and spent part of its April meeting discussing concerns about a state requirement, described in the meeting as Gov. Kevin Stitt’s order, that would require childcare providers to attain a five‑star DHS rating to receive subsidies.
Motion and vote: The commission’s meeting minutes for the previous month were approved by motion and second; commissioners voiced “aye” and the motion passed. The commission also approved a motion to adjourn at meeting close.
Childcare issue: Commission members said the governor’s order and the Department of Human Services implementation timeline (described in the meeting as a September deadline) create a “gap of money” and a compressed time frame that will make accreditation or achieving a five‑star rating difficult for many providers. Members warned the requirement risks forcing as many as a thousand providers to shut down if they cannot meet the standard and obtain necessary funding or technical support.
Several commissioners described the accreditation process as lengthy and expensive and said community foundations are considering funding to help providers meet the requirement. Commissioners also flagged the policy’s effect on foster-care families: foster placements and other childcare reimbursements may require a five‑star facility under the new rule, which could reduce available placements for children in care, the commission said.
Next steps and advocacy: Commissioners said they planned to monitor the situation, speak with state representatives and raise public awareness. One commissioner said she intended to follow up with Rep. Schreiber and asked the commission to remain an informed “torch carrier” for the issue.
Votes at a glance: - Motion: Approve last month’s minutes. Mover: not specified. Second: not specified. Vote: voice vote; outcome: approved. - Motion: Adjourn meeting. Mover: not specified. Second: not specified. Vote: voice vote; outcome: approved.
Ending: Commissioners asked to be kept informed and to return to the issue in future meetings if the September deadline and funding gap remain unresolved.
