Our Department has launched several initiatives over the past two years to increase the efficiency of our work and improve our delivery of services to Alaskans. On May 10th, the Commissioner continued this effort by approving a new regional framework for our Department. DPA will take part in the gradual transition from the multiple regional structures in DHSS to a set of common regions. We will do this by designing our own implementation plan and specifying our own timeframe that fully address our specific issues.

The virtual baked beans were falling fast. The unopened can had to go somewhere, but where? Not the simulated freezer.

"This food wouldn't spoil in that location," the computer-generated voice said. "But the quality of food could be affected, or you might be using space in your freezer unnecessarily."

Another lesson learned from the Fantastic Food Challenge, a package of four computer games designed to teach people who get nutrition aid such as federal food stamps how to make better use of their food.

The PFD season is fast approaching. Here's an update on how we will process cases this year.

PFD income and resources continue to be exempt for all programs except Food Stamps. Like last year, we will be anticipating receipt of PFD income for food stamp households. Determining eligibility for resource hold harmless will also be the same - households will be asked to estimate how much PFD money they expect to have left on November 1st.

A new report, titled “What Works Best for Whom: Effects of Welfare and Work Policies by Subgroup,” examines an array of welfare policies to help states determine which programs and policies best help single parents transition from welfare to work. The report examines the effects of over 25 welfare-to-work policies in the following broad categories:

The Child Care Program Office is pleased to announce the posting of our new website! Our new site gives families, child care providers, and the general public information about the programs and services the DPA Child Care Program Office oversees including the PASS child care assistance programs, the child care grant program, child care licensing, and child care resource and referral services. We hope you’ll take a few moments to visit the site and familiarize yourself with our programs. You can visit the Child Care Program Office website through the main Division of Public Assistance page by clicking on Child Care under the Programs section, or by clicking here.