Recognized expert in child welfare issues, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), federal child & family services reviews.
Governor Frank H. Murkowski announced today the appointment of Marcia Kennai as Deputy Commissioner of Health & Social Services. Ms. Kennai will head the new Office of Children's Services announced last month as part of a major reorganization of the Dept. of Health & Social Services.
Benefits
For you and your family to receive one the best benefit programs in the nation, we need to know who you are. Be sure to complete all of your enrollment forms. The Personnel/Payroll unit provides these forms at http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dashr/ppu/ppuhomepage.htm. Scroll down at this site to match your position with the "Hiring Packet" and "Individual Forms". You'll print and complete the forms applicable to your job description. (Hint for brand new state employees: GGU means General Government Unit and SU means Supervisory Unit)
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Welcome to our team! Please view our New Employee Orientation Video and then view the information below to learn more about the Division of Public Assistance.
Based on your internet connection speed, click on a video clip at the right to start.
DPA Employee Orientation Resources
Learn more about working for the Division of Public Assistance by clicking the links below. These pages have additional detailed information and links to help you take advantage of all the benefits of working for our division.
Related Links
A major new national study was released by the Manhattan Institute on the impact of the 1996 welfare reform law on low-income families.
The report found an astonishing 20 percent drop in the poverty rate among single mothers between 1996 and 2001 -- a decrease that the researchers credit primarily to the effect of welfare reform in moving increasing numbers of recipients into the work force.
Juneau -- Commissioner Greg O
A new brochure that describes DPA's basic programs is being distributed to offices this week. Expect your office's supply to come from your region or in the mail in the next few days. This brochure should be made available for clients in public areas of DPA offices.
Update to Staff:
Friday, March 21, 2003
This week's update features Rod Moline, the Project Director for the DHSS Reorganization Project. Many of you know Dr. Rod Moline as the DHSS Home & Community Based Waiver Unit Supervisor, and he was formerly Executive Director for REACH, Inc. for 15 years.
Mothers' Leaving Welfare Had No Effect on Preschoolers
Slight Improvement Seen for Young Adolescents
Mothers' transition from welfare to employment did not seem to have any negative effects on preschoolers or young adolescents, according to a study by researchers at Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Boston College.
Below is the news release we are issuing during today's News Conference at 11:30 am. I want to be sure that you hear the news first. I have also attached a chart [PDF] which shows the new organizational structure, to help you determine
internal movements within the Department.
Over the past three months, the Department of Health and Social Services has completed a successful and smooth transition during the change of administrations. It is the hard work of all DHSS employees that has allowed our customers-both providers and clients-to experience no interruption in services.