I'm proud to celebrate public assistance worker appreciation week with you and acknowledge the hard work of Public Assistance staff and partners in assisting Alaska's families on their path to self-sufficiency.

It's rare that one division can have such a great impact on people's lives. The important work of case managers, eligibility technicians, support service staff, supervisors, administrative support personnel, employment specialists and others is vital to tens of thousands of Alaska families.

STATE OF ALASKA
EXECUTIVE PROCLAMATION
By Frank Murkowski, Governor

Alaskans in need depend upon the State to provide them assistance in the form of cash, food, medical, heat, and employment services to transition those who are able to achieve self sufficiency. The State, in turn, depends upon its employees in the Divisions of Public Assistance, Health Care Services, and Senior and Disabilities Services, as well as their partnering agencies to get the job done. While many of these individuals – case managers, supportive service workers, supervisors, administrative support personnel, employment specialists, and others – do not identify themselves as public assistance workers, they are, nevertheless, an important part of the team.

In April, Alaska’s Legislature passed Senate Bill 51 (SB51) reauthorizing the Native Family Assistance Program. In passing this bill, the Legislature gave special recognition to AVCP, TCC, and T&H for their great success in operating NFAPs and for support in helping Native families leave welfare for employment and self-sufficiency. Recognition was also given to our Native partners providing welfare-to-work services in other regions of Alaska.

“Better Than Average” campaign revitalizes payment accuracy; DHSS gives $20,000 to Food Bank of Alaska to benefit programs to feed hungry kids this summer.

(Anchorage, Alaska) — U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Under Secretary Eric Bost recognized Alaska’s Food Stamp program as one of the three most improved in the nation today during an event held at the Food Bank of Alaska. Bost awarded the Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services (DHSS ) $205,389 for its successful effort to improve payment accuracy. “This achievement is a result of decisive action and hard work. It is satisfying to receive national recognition for our efforts,” said DHSS Commissioner Joel Gilbertson.

On Thursday June 30th, Alaska will receive a performance bonus award of $205,000 from the USDA as the state with the most improved Food Stamp Program payment accuracy in the nation. This is a great accomplishment you've helped us achieve. When we started our Better than Average campaign in October 2003 we had the dubious distinction of the highest error rate in the nation. We set ambitious goals for work quality improvement, and you've reached them, earning Alaska positive recognition and financial reward. This is no small feat, for it is rare for a state to make such marked inprovement in a single year.