It has been a whirlwind few weeks since I accepted the appointment as Director of Public Assistance, I've begun to get around the state and look forward to continuing these initial visits to our various offices. I am honored and excited to be asked to join the DHSS team, and to work with you to fulfill our mission of helping Alaskans achieve self-sufficiency.
I would like to join Governor Murkowski in honoring each of you during Public Assistance Worker Appreciation Week, July 11-17, 2004.
The important work of case managers, support service staff, supervisors, administrative support personnel, employment specialists and others is vital to thousands of Alaska families. The safety net services you provide help families make it through hard times, and gives them a chance to plan for a better future. The work you do everyday strengthens our communities and brings hope to those who need it most.
As the new Director of Public Assistance, I am proud to celebrate this special week with you and acknowledge the hard work of public assistance staff in helping Alaskans in need. This is a great time to reflect on all the successes of the past year and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
We are pleased to announce a new and improved online Food Stamp Manual!
The PDF version of the Food Stamp Manual currently on DPAweb will be phased out in six months after everyone is up to speed on this new manual.
Here are some basic instructions for how to use the manual. A group of 21 "test drivers" representing every office statewide and the Policy and Program Development section recently gave the manual their enthusiastic stamp of approval. The response was so positive, we are going to convert our other manuals to this new technology. Watch for the next installment, the new APA-related and Long Term Care Medicaid Manual, scheduled to appear this September.
When this month's DPA star isn't sailing on his boat in Mexico, you'll probably find him knee-deep in meetings or flying back and forth between Juneau and Anchorage. This star has a resume of helping those in need and he will soon be helping them from the Commissioner's Office. He has degrees from UAF and Willamette Law School, and while people joke that lawyers are long-winded, this DPA star gets right to the point. He's taken a pie in the face for our division, but rumor has it he much prefers chocolate. Who is our DPA star?