Here are the results of the DPA Food Stamp Accuracy Rate survey. The response from DPA staff was amazing and the suggestions are now being used to formulate strategies to lower the error rate.
This survey document has answers organized by question but otherwise it is a straightforward list of responses. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer the survey.
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that both the number of individuals and the number of families receiving assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program declined between March 2002 and March 2003.
Totals for these quarters show that the number of recipients (defined as individuals) in March 2003 was 4,963,771, a decline of 4.3 percent since March 2002 and 59.5 percent since August 1996, when the TANF law was signed into law. The number of families (defined as family units with children) receiving TANF declined about 2 percent during the same period, to 2,039,917 in March 2003. Since August 1996, the number of families receiving TANF has fallen by 53.7 percent.
When Mark* and Lisa
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.
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.
Strong Child Care Services continue as department restructures: Mary Lorence named DHSS Childcare Manager
The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today announced $5,290,514 in child care grants to communities and organizations throughout Alaska that provide services to children. The awards are administered by the Child Care Assistance Program, which recently moved from the Department of Education and Early Development to the Division of Public Assistance as part of a large DHSS reorganization for efficiency and better customer service.
Elderly Alaskans on very low incomes should find it easy to collect $120 a month through a new program. The aid is intended to ease the pain of Gov. Frank Murkowski's elimination of the immensely popular Longevity Bonus Program.
The ease of applying for the money carries a potential cost. The program won't be fraud-proof, state officials say.
No interview is required. No documentation of income. No visit to the welfare office. The program will operate in part on trust.
I would like to join Governor Murkowski in honoring each of you by designating Public Assistance Workers Appreciation Week, July 13-19, 2003. The important work of case managers, support service staff, supervisors, administrative support personnel, employment specialists and others is not always apparent to the public. However, the people you help achieve self-sufficiency, or those unable to work whom you help with financial assistance, medical assistance or other services, know first-hand of your work. It is an art to be able to give aid, to lend a hand without building dependence, and to respect and preserve the dignity of those whom we serve. For your great success at this vital job, and for your contributions to the people of this State, I offer my sincerest thanks and congratulations.