Recently, DPA received a letter from USDA region X Director Dennis Stewart telling us that we have the worst food stamp accuracy in the nation. We are using this opportunity to kick off a campaign to bring our accuracy in line with the national norm by 2005.

On August 14th from 1:30-3pm we will be convening the DPA Leadership Workgroup to address this issue. This group is comprised of staff from all levels of our organization and we will be seeking their thoughts and opinions as to how we can improve our error rate.

Mary Lorence of Juneau began her new position this month in Anchorage and has more than 19 years of experience in delivering services to children and their families. "We

Anchorage, Alaska, July 24 - Some 7,000 elderly Alaskans have already applied for help from a new state program. The Senior Assistance Program will pay seniors $120 a month for 10 months.

With the current number of applicants, the program will cost the state $8.4 million.

Note: This program has expired.

July 24, 2003 - The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. board has approved a pilot program to make home ownership more accessible to low-income Alaskans with disabilities. The Anchorage-based state housing agency manages more than 4,000 Housing Choice Vouchers statewide that help low-income Alaskans with their rent. The pilot program allocates 10 rental vouchers instead to the agency's HCV Homeownership program, letting people with special housing needs due to disabilities use the voucher payments as mortgage payments, AHFC said.

Note: This program has expired.

The Alaska Senior Assistance Program (AKSAP) is a new needs-based benefit program available to all Alaskan seniors age 65 or older that meet certain eligibility requirements.