Congratulations DPA!
Today we received word from USDA that Alaska has been awarded another Food Stamp (SNAP) performance bonus award for having the best program access in federal fiscal year 2009. That's two years in a row! Below is the press release from the USDA which announces our achievement.
Each and every one of us in the Division of Public Assistance work incredibly hard and deal with a vast assortment of complicated situations and issues. Your hard work and dedication makes a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve every day. Our Rising Excellence campaign for FFY 2008 is just one example of our demonstrated commitment to quality service.
“Great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great." ---Mark Twain
Please join me in recognizing and congratulating three of DPA’s Stars that model and inspire this attitude every day. Collectively, these Stars have dedicated more than 50 years of service to DPA and devote countless hours toward our mission “to Promote Self Sufficiency and provide for basic living expenses to Alaskans in need”
Last year’s final Food Stamp payment accuracy findings are in and Alaska rocks again ! For federal fiscal year 2007 (Oct. 1 2006 – Sept. 30, 2007) we ranked lucky #13 in the nation with an overall payment accuracy rate of 95.96% (4.04% error rate). The national average for payment accuracy was 94.36% (5.64% error rate).
I am pleased to announce that Mary Riggen-Ver has accepted our offer to become the Chief of Program Integrity and Analysis section. Mary will transfer to her new position effective June 16th. Many of you know Mary from her 17 years working for the Division of Public Assistance. Most recently Mary has been our Quality Assessment Program Officer.
From: Ellie Fitzjarrald, Director and Jim Dalman, Chief, Program Integrity and Analysis
There is a great convergence of good news to share this month. Hopefully, you’re not tired of hearing how well you are doing with our Give Me Five Food Stamp Program payment accuracy campaign. We are still solidly positioned for an FFY 2007 payment accuracy bonus. These are awarded to the seven states with the lowest payment error rates and the three states with the most improved accuracy. We are currently in the running on two fronts, standing at #2 for most improved accuracy and #10 in the nation for overall accuracy. It is within the realm of possibility that we could make it into the best payment error rate category since we are only half a percentage point behind. There are a few months left to count, but so far . . .very, very good!
September Was National Preparedness Month
Get a kit, make a plan and be informed!
Did you know that all Alaskans need to be prepared to manage in an emergency without assistance for at least 72 hours and possibly up to 2 weeks?
September just ended but it is important to note that it was National Preparedness Month, a time to increase public awareness about emergency responsiveness and encourage individuals to take action. For more information about preparing your family for an emergency see the
Ready America website
On Wednesday afternoon, Governor Palin announced that assistance to seniors will be continued at least through the month of July.
We will continue to provide the $120 cash payment and prescription drug benefits to seniors who qualified for the Senior Care Program for the month of July through the General Relief Assistance program.
All SeniorCare recipients are being transitioned from the Senior Care Program into the General Relief Assistance (GRA) program, and these benefits will be paid under GRA as a senior assistance benefit. We can no longer make reference to this help as SeniorCare as that program sunsets June 30, 2007.
Health and Social Services Commissioner Karleen Jackson recently announced the appointment of Ellie Fitzjarrald as Public Assistance director.
Ellie Fitzjarrald has served as acting Public Assistance director since June 2006.
“Public Assistance touches many lives on a very personal level, and it requires a unique kind of leadership,” Jackson said. “I am pleased to have Ellie continue in this leadership role ─ she has a great understanding of the importance of public assistance in helping people achieve the highest possible degree of self sufficiency while in the most vulnerable of circumstances.”