Oklahoma has made the regrettable decision to forgo participation in a federal summer food program for children, leaving numerous families without the support they would have received. This choice comes as a result of ambiguous regulations established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Summer EBT Program, which was set to offer £40 per month per child in grocery expenses for families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, has been enshrined as a permanent component of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. However, states are mandated to cover half of the administrative costs associated with implementing the program.
Data from the 2022-2023 school year indicates that approximately 403,000 children in Oklahoma would have met the program’s criteria. Shockingly, about one in five children in Oklahoma confront food insecurity, as disclosed in the most recent report on children’s well-being from Kids Count.
Presently, 38 states, territories, and tribal nations have announced their intent to roll out the program this summer. Meanwhile, other states, including Nebraska and Iowa, have chosen to abstain due to their reservations about the program and concerns regarding the administrative expenses involved.
There is a glimmer of hope, as the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nation have opted in for the program, ensuring that families with children attending public school on their reservation territories will still receive the benefits. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation expressed disappointment in the state’s decision, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to addressing child food insecurity and the essential nature of food security for families and overall health and wellness.
Conversely, Governor Kevin Stitt’s spokesperson has pledged that the governor will continue to collaborate with Secretary of Human Services Deborah Shropshire and Oklahoma Department of Human Services staff to ensure that other available programs sufficiently support the children in need.
It is a shame that Oklahoma has chosen to withdraw from the federal summer food program, leaving many families without assistance. Hopefully, alternative solutions will be developed to aid these vulnerable children.
