Better than Average!

Happy New Year Everyone. You all know that we have set improving work quality as a high priority for the Division of Public Assistance. Our Better than Average! campaign has set a goal of 93 percent Food Stamp Program payment accuracy by October 2004. We aim to finish the year below the National average error rate. We are starting to see improvement from your hard work and the quality initiatives that offices have put in place.

IRS, AARP seek volunteers

The Internal Revenue Service and AARP are seeking volunteers to provide free tax assistance in Anchorage and Mat-Su during the tax-filing season. The volunteers prepare federal and state returns for the elderly, disabled, non-English speaking and those with limited incomes.

"No tax or accounting experience is needed, only a desire to help others," said Judy Monahan, IRS spokeswoman. Besides people to prepare returns, they need site assistants, who greet taxpayers and make sure their paperwork is complete, among other tasks.

5th Annual Holiday-Break Visitor Industry Job Fair

5th Annual Holiday-Break Visitor Industry Job Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, Gottschalks Courtyard, Northway Mall, 3101 Penland Parkway in Anchorage. This is an opportunity to secure clients a job six months in advance, especially geared toward teachers and college students home for the holidays.

The fifth annual fair will feature more than 30 businesses, including Royal Celebrity Tours, Rust's Flying Service, Premier Alaska Tours, Gray Line of Alaska, Princess Tours, Cruise West, CIRI Alaska Tourism and Alaska SeaLife Center.

SeniorCare: a new array of services for Alaska seniors

Prescription drug benefit, new services, better access to health care, information & resources to be offered

Juneau, Alaska – Governor Frank H. Murkowski today announced SeniorCare, a new proposed program to make prescription drugs more affordable for Alaska seniors. “SeniorCare will provide qualified seniors with a prescription drug benefit to assist in the purchase of needed medications,” Governor Murkowski said. SeniorCare will also include a new Senior Information Office and a Preferred Drug List to make prescription drugs more affordable. Seniors receiving the Alaska Senior Assistance Program can choose to continue receiving the cash assistance of $120 a month instead of the drug coverage.