We are approaching the end of federal fiscal year 2005 QC sample. The August sample is drawn today leaving only September left to go. It will take several months for our QA staff and the Quality Assessment Review Committee to complete the process, yet our ability to effect the final FFY 2005 error rate is coming down to these final weeks. Our current 93% performance is good, and we are still a percentage point short of our 94% payment accuracy goal. Last year you delivered strong results for us in the final months. Hopefully, we will repeat that trend this year. The national payment accuracy average remains above 94%, so our quest to be Better than Average continues. Let's keep our work quality focus, and push a bit more if we can to assure these last few months further improve our accuracy rate.

Health and Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson joined charter members of the Native Family Assistance Program at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

(Anchorage, Alaska) – Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson and Division of Public Assistance Director Katherine Farnham joined the Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) and charter members of the Native Family Assistance Program today at the Alaska Native Heritage Center to celebrate the passage of Senate Bill 51. SB51 reauthorizes and expands Alaska’s Native Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program that helps families move from welfare to work.

Alaska Health and Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson will join charter members of the Native Family Assistance Program at the Alaska Native Heritage Center July 22

(Juneau, Alaska) – Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Commissioner Joel Gilbertson and Division of Public Assistance Director Katherine Farnham will join the Cook Inlet Tribal Council and charter members of the Native Family Assistance Program on Friday, July 22 at the Alaska Native Heritage Center to celebrate the passage of Senate Bill 51, reauthorizing and expanding the Native Family Assistance Program that helps families move from welfare to work. Cook Inlet Tribal Council began providing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services July 1, 2005.

This message is being sent to all of you with a special 'thanks' for your dedication, commitment, and willingness to provide assistance to Alaskans in need of our service.

We, as an agency, should celebrate our success for our effort in assisting families to become self-sufficient and providing the service and benefits to ensure Alaskans are fed, sheltered, can heat their homes, and have appropriate medical coverage. It is fitting that Public Assistance Worker Appreciation Week, falls right after our division was just recognized nationally for our successful effort to improve Food Stamp payment accuracy, and not once, but three times, recognized for meeting several of our TANF measurements. There is nothing that says “great job” like a federal bonus to the state for a job well done!

This week we get to celebrate and recognize the outstanding work our staff does day-in and day-out at the Division of Public Assistance - help Alaskans in need. Each of you do your best every day so Alaskans in need can get through their days and weeks with dignity and greater opportunities to achieve their fullest potential. I hope you take some time this week to celebrate the good work you do for Alaska's citizens and our communities as a whole.