OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) has halted a stipend program, leaving childcare providers without reimbursement for professional development training.
“When it comes to cuts, we’re one of the first ones that are cut and we’re just expected to flex with this,” said Janell Wheat, the President and CEO of Thrive Learning Center.
OKDHS to furlough roughly 2,300 employees on November 2
According to the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development, the state agency notified them that the Certificate of Achievement Stipend Program has ended due to limited funding, and now they can no longer process applications or issue any stipends that have not already been approved.
“Many of them have submitted their applications for approval to get reimbursed, and just with no notice, it was put on hold and canceled with no date of it ever returning,” Wheat said…