STATE OF OKLAHOMA RECOVERY PLAN

STATE AND LOCAL

FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS

2021 REPORT
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

Table of Contents

General Overview.................................................................................................................. 2

Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... 2

Uses of Funds.............................................................................................................................. 3

Promoting Equitable Outcomes.................................................................................................. 4

Community Engagement............................................................................................................. 6

Labor Practices............................................................................................................................ 8

Use of Evidence........................................................................................................................... 8

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category............................................................................... 9

Project Inventory................................................................................................................. 12

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision ............................................................................. 12
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

Executive Summary 

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 provides state, local, territorial and tribal 

governments with unprecedented funds to respond to and recover from the health and 

economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the Act, the State of Oklahoma was 

awarded an allocation of $1,870,417,575 from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Fund. The U.S. Department of Treasury delivered the first 50% of these funds to the State on 

August 12, 2021. The second 50% will be delivered in 2022. 

With the receipt of these funds, Oklahoma has the opportunity to support the communities and 

industries negatively impacted by the public health emergency, restore and strengthen the 

state’s economy, and make once-in-a-generation investments in water, sewer, and broadband 

infrastructure.

The State is working to allocate these funds through a collaboration between the Legislature and 

Executive Branch leaders, who hold a shared vision to make strategic investments that will 

benefit future generations while improving services for all Oklahomans today. 

In June 2021, the Legislature established the 24-member Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief 

Funding to assess the state’s immediate and long-term needs for a successful recovery and to 

evaluate and vet proposals for use of the State Fiscal Recovery Funds. Through an open proposal 

process, any Oklahoma state agency, nonprofit, local government, business entity, or constituent 

can propose a project or offer input regarding how these funds would be best invested. 

Eligible projects approved by the Joint Committee will then be reviewed by an 11-member 

Steering Committee of Legislators and Executive Branch leaders before being sent to Governor J. 

Kevin Stitt for final review and approval. 

The Recovery Plan will be updated yearly and posted on www.oklahoma.gov/ARPA. 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Uses of Funds

At this time, the full Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding has held four public meetings 

to develop the state’s processes for allocating and spending funds. The Committee has 

committed to using State Fiscal Recovery Funds to make strategic short-term and long-term 

investments guided by the following goals:

The Joint Committee has divided into four Working Groups to provide greater evaluation of the 

impacts of the pandemic on the State of Oklahoma. The four working groups are:

• Economic Development & Workforce

• Health & Human Services

• Government Transformation & Collaboration 

• Transportation, Infrastructure, & Rural Development

In August and September 2021, the Working Groups heard testimony from stakeholders across 

the State of Oklahoma, guided by three key questions: 

1. What is the impact of the pandemic on the working group’s subject area?

2. What are the needs, or how have the needs been exacerbated?

1 2 3

Build a stronger, more 

innovative and more 

diverse economy for 

Oklahoma.

Enhance capabilities of 

services for the wellbeing of all citizens, 

especially the most

vulnerable.

Invest in physical and 

digital infrastructure to 

expand opportunities 

across Oklahoma.
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

3. How do we achieve a strong recovery?

Presentations and discussions from these meetings will help the Joint Committee identify priority 

areas for investment and needs of the state. After analyzing potential priority areas, the Working 

Groups will submit those areas for consideration by the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee 

will establish these priority areas and accept proposals that align with these areas. 

Beginning in October, proposals will be evaluated in the appropriate Working Group subject area. 

Proposals that receive approval by a Working Group will be recommended for a vote of the full 

Joint Committee. Proposals favorably reported by the Joint Committee will be forwarded to the 

Steering Committee for approval before being sent to Governor Stitt.

Promoting equitable outcomes 

Oklahoma is committed to maximizing State Fiscal Recovery Fund investments by ensuring the 

benefits of these funds to historically underserved, vulnerable and disproportionately impacted 

populations, communities and industries are captured in the project proposal evaluation and 

funding allocation processes. 

There are several ways in which the U.S. Treasury Interim Final Rule encourages State and Local 

Fiscal Recovery Fund recipients to fund strategies that address the disparate impacts of the 

pandemic on vulnerable populations. For example, Treasury will presume certain types of 

services and programs are eligible uses when provided to populations living in Qualified Census 

Tracts (QCT). There are approximately 200 QCTs in Oklahoma, located in both urban and rural 

areas. 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

Vulnerable Oklahomans residing in and outside of QCTs have unique needs that have been in 

many cases exacerbated by the pandemic. The prevalence of mental health symptoms, substance 

abuse, and food and housing insecurity all increased during the pandemic. The State is working 

to identify the immediate and long-term needs of disproportionately impacted populations.

The Joint Committee Working Groups needs assessments involved collecting information 

regarding the populations, communities, and industries most disproportionately impacted by the 

pandemic. The findings from the needs assessments will be applied to develop the project 

proposal evaluation criteria. 

Oklahoma’s State Fiscal Recovery Funds project proposal and idea intake process is designed to 

ensure any entity or resident can provide input on how funds are spent. The State has committed 

to lowering barriers to participation by offering an easily accessible and straightforward idea 

intake form. By leveraging relationships with partner organizations, nonprofits and other 

stakeholders, Oklahoma seeks to collect input from a broad and diverse range of groups. 

The project proposal submittal process seeks to capture information regarding how a proposed 

use of funds serves groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Oklahoma State 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

agencies, local governments, nonprofits, and business entities submitting project proposals 

must describe the communities and vulnerable populations that will benefit from the proposed 

program. Submitters must also detail how the target community was impacted by the pandemic. 

One of the important goals of this process is to develop outcome measurements that will focus 

on closing gaps, raising levels of services, and reducing disparities among disproportionately 

impacted populations. 

As Oklahoma moves forward with evaluating spending proposals, the state will continue to 

leverage partnerships to collect input from populations, communities, and industries most 

disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and develop evaluation criteria that consider and 

underscore the needs of these groups. 

Community Engagement 

The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding is committed to engaging with stakeholders 

across the state to listen to the needs of Oklahomans.

The initial priority of the Working Groups is to focus on identifying and evaluating the impacts of 

the pandemic to the State of Oklahoma in specific subject areas. Working Groups are in the 

process of conducting comprehensive needs assessment in order to develop strategically sound 

funding objectives and priorities. Working Groups have begun this process and will continue 

identifying all the impacts to the state.

The Health and Human Services Working Group met September 7 and 8, 2021, hearing from 

seventeen presenters including state agencies, nonprofits, hospital systems and providers. 

Presenters identified workforce shortages as a major challenge in the health and human services 

sector. Workforce needs in nursing at all levels, behavioral health and in the human service sector 

were discussed throughout the 2-day meeting. State agency and nonprofit presenters discussed 

capacity building in the behavioral health and childcare sector. 

Several presenters noted communications and technological infrastructure across the health 

care sector were areas of needed investment, as pointed out by the lack of real-time data

throughout the pandemic. Supply chain reliability coupled with the lack of supply inventory also 

were challengesin the health and human services sector. While telemedicine and telehealth have
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

grown significantly during the pandemic, additional infrastructure and connectivity is needed 

to fulfill its potential across Oklahoma, particularly in rural areas. 

Many presenters detailed the impact of the pandemic on substance abuse showing substantial 

increases across the state. Other themes heard include the need for hospitals to collaborate to 

share resources and data to create connections and a collaborative mechanism for nonprofits to 

provide critical wraparound services.

The Government Transformation and Collaboration Working Group spent September 17, 2021

hearing from representatives from the state, cities, towns, the court system, the tourism industry 

and Oklahomans with disabilities. Initial impacts identified centered around technology 

infrastructure needs, declines in revenue across tourism agencies and supply chain issues. The 

Working Group will focus its efforts on partnering with cities and towns on projects across focus 

areas including broadband, water, and tourism. The Working Group is interested in leveraging 

and stacking funds to promote collaboration across the state. State government modernization 

will also be a continued topic of discussion among cybersecurity and customer-facing services. 

While evaluating projects, ensuring the needs of Oklahomans with disabilities are met was 

identified as a priority. The group also heard about the need to modernize the court system and 

address the current backlog created by the pandemic. Moving forward, the Working Group also 

wants to focus on collaborating with Oklahoma’s tribal partners.

Across Working Groups, workforce shortages have been a significant theme. This was evident 

again in the Economic Development and Workforce Working Group meetings held on September 

20 and 23, 2021. Presenters universally discussed the priority to craft a collaborative plan to 

address Oklahoma’s workforce needs. As with other meetings, childcare and mental health issues 

were often mentioned. Businesses also had a difficult time getting the resources needed as the 

supply chain affected industries across the state. Another significant theme was connectivity and 

access to broadband for businesses and the educational system. The group heard needs from the 

education sector involving current and updated data, and also heard feedback from the Veteran 

community.

The Transportation, Infrastructure, and Rural Development Working Group conducted a meeting 

on September 24, 2021 and heard from twelve presenters. The group heard an update from the 

state’s Rural Broadband Council and details on resources needed to create a comprehensive, 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

strategic plan to address broadband across Oklahoma. The group heard about public safety 

radio connectivity needs that were exacerbated by the pandemic. Impacts were felt heavily in 

the agriculture sector with supply chain issues affecting the state’s food supply, prompting the 

group to focus some time discussing local food security. Again, workforce needs were 

emphasized strongly in many sectors including transportation, water quality and corrections.

Themes and impacts will continue to be identified throughout this process. Working groups, and 

the Joint Committee as a whole, are committed to taking a strategic, holistic approach to creating 

funding priorities.

In addition to engaging stakeholders via the Working Group needs assessment process, 

Oklahoma is collecting input online. The state has developed a public-facing American Rescue 

Plan Act website to provide information to the public, local governments, and other stakeholders 

and entities. Beginning in October, any Oklahoma state agency, nonprofit, local government, 

business entity, or constituent can use the website to propose a project or offer input regarding 

how State Fiscal Recovery funds would be best invested. 

Labor Practices 

During this reporting period, Oklahoma does not have any active infrastructure projects. 

Oklahoma intends to explore and utilize strong labor standards that are most appropriate for the 

state. Any infrastructure projects will comply with the employment and workplace laws for the 

state of Oklahoma. 

Use of Evidence 

During this reporting period, Oklahoma does not have any active projects. Oklahoma intends to 

explore and utilize evidence-based interventions that are most appropriate for Oklahoma, 

including the use of relevant evidence from Clearinghouses as described in Paragraph 6 of the 

Reporting Guidance to identify evidence-based models. Entities submitting project proposals are 

required to describe the process for measuring project performance, including any plans for 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

collecting programmatic data required by the U.S. Treasury. Respondents must also describe 

any evidence or sources that validate the interventions proposed in the project. The Joint 

Committee will consider these responses in the project evaluation criteria.

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination

1.2 COVID-19 Testing

1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing

1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings (Nursing 

Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, 

Schools, etc.)

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment

1.6 Medical Expenses (including Alternative Care 

Facilities)

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes 

to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID19 public health emergency

1.8 Other COVID-19 Public Health Expenses 

(including Communications, Enforcement, 

Isolation/Quarantine)

1.9 Payroll Costs for Public Health, Safety, and 

Other Public Sector Staff Responding to COVID19

1.10 Mental Health Services

1.11 Substance Use Services

1.12 Other Public Health Services

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid 

2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers 

2.4 Household Assistance: Internet Access 

Programs

2.5 Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention

2.6 Unemployment Benefits or Cash Assistance to 

Unemployed Workers

2.7 Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, Employment 

Supports or Incentives)

2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds*

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General)

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations

2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality

2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries

2.13 Other Economic Support 

2.14 Rehiring Public Sector Staff

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning 

3.2 Education Assistance: Aid to High-Poverty 

Districts

3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services 

3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and 

Mental Health Services 

3.5 Education Assistance: Other 

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care 

3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home Visiting 

3.8 Healthy Childhood Environments: Services to 

Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System 

3.9. Healthy Childhood Environments: Other 
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

3.10 Housing Support: Affordable Housing 

3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons 

3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance 

3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other 

3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Health Workers or Benefits Navigators 

3.15 Social Determinants of Health: Lead 

Remediation

3.16 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Violence Interventions 

4 Expenditure Category: Premium Pay

4.1 Public Sector Employees

4.2 Private Sector: Grants to other employers 

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.1 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater treatment

5.2 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater collection 

and conveyance

5.3 Clean Water: Decentralized wastewater

5.4 Clean Water: Combined sewer overflows

5.5 Clean Water: Other sewer infrastructure

5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater

5.7 Clean Water: Energy conservation

5.8 Clean Water: Water conservation

5.9 Clean Water: Nonpoint source 

5.10 Drinking water: Treatment

5.11 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution

5.12 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution: 

lead remediation

5.13 Drinking water: Source

5.14 Drinking water: Storage 

5.15 Drinking water: Other water infrastructure
State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

Category Cumulative

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

5.17 Broadband: Other projects

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses $10,000

7.2 Evaluation and data analysis 

7.3 Transfers to Other Units of Government

7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

(States and Territories only)

Project Inventory 

At this time, the State of Oklahoma has not approved any projects. Future reports will include 

project-specific details and performance metrics. 

Performance Report

At this time, the State of Oklahoma has not approved any projects. Future reports will include 

project-specific details and performance metrics. 

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision (States 

and territories only)

NOTE: The State of Oklahoma did experience tax-reducing activity, and the State will work 

through details of calculations as more data is available and the final U.S. Treasury rule is 

released and/or pending litigation on this issue is resolved.

Item Amount

a. Revenue-reducing Covered Changes $0