DTA Commissioner, Food Assistance Director Receive 2009 Kit Clark Award from Meals on Wheels

BOSTON — The Patrick-Murray Administration announced today that Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Commissioner Julia E. Kehoe has received the Massachusetts Meals on Wheels Association's 2009 Kit Clark Award for her dedication to and support of senior nutrition services across the Commonwealth.

Joining Commissioner Kehoe in receiving the award was Phuoc Cao, Director of DTA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Patricia Baker of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI). Awarding the honor to Commissioner Kehoe, Mr. Cao and Ms. Baker, Barbara Rougier, President of the Massachusetts Meals on Wheels Association, pointed to DTA’s ongoing efforts to reduce hunger by making SNAP benefits more accessible to elders.

Established by the Massachusetts Meals on Wheels Association in 1986, the Kit Clark Award honors those who are dedicated to ending hunger among seniors in Massachusetts. Past recipients include the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman James P. McGovern.

“This award is a testament to the excellent work on the part of the Department of Transitional Assistance and to effective collaborations,” said Dr. JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of Health and Human Services. “I applaud Commissioner Kehoe for her leadership and commitment to reforming the program in a way that ensures that Massachusetts seniors have greater access to nutritional foods.”

“The Department of Transitional Assistance prides itself on providing assistance to those in need as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Commissioner Julia Kehoe. “The elder community has been a focus of our wider efforts to promote access to nutritious food for all of our clients. Seniors need to know there is no shame in accessing this important benefit, which can help to offset other household expenses.”

DTA has actively sought to help elders receive food assistance in the Commonwealth by holding Senior Benefits Expos in eight regions throughout the state in conjunction with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Veterans’ Services, and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Additional program improvements for elderly and disabled applicants such as streamlined applications, longer recertification periods, income deductions for medical expenses and expanded categorical eligibility have all helped to increase elder participation in SNAP by over 50% between February 2007 and July 2009.

“Commissioner Kehoe, Phuoc Cao and Pat Baker have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Commonwealth's elders have access to benefits that will ensure their nutritional needs are met,” said Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Ann Hartstein. “Nutrition is vital to ensuring the health and safety of our elders. On behalf of the Commonwealth's elders and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, I congratulate DTA and thank them for their efforts.”

Accompanying these efforts directed at the elder population are significant changes DTA has made to expand and simplify access to SNAP for all households. These efforts, as well as the national economic downturn, have resulted in a significant increase in the number of people receiving SNAP benefits. Since July 2008, the number of individuals receiving SNAP has increased by nearly 150,000. As of July 2009, more than 670,000 individuals participate in SNAP.

The increase in SNAP participation also acts as an effective economic stimulant: every dollar spent in SNAP generates nearly two dollars in economic activity for the Commonwealth. This year, residents are spending more than a billion dollars in benefits, which translates into two billion dollars in local production, sales and jobs in Massachusetts. Over the last two years, DTA has been dedicated to developing ways to expand and simplify access to SNAP.

About the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP serves more than 670,000 individuals in Massachusetts by assisting low-income individuals and families with purchasing healthy food. The program is federally funded and serves as the first line of defense against hunger. Individuals, families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities who are having difficulty meeting their basic needs are encouraged to apply for SNAP benefits by visiting www.mass.gov/dta, calling 1-866-950-FOOD, or visiting their local DTA office.

About the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)

DTA’s mission is to assist low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, increase their incomes and improve their quality of life. Located within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department ensures that the emergency and transitional needs of the individuals and families of the Commonwealth are met through a combination of federal- and state-funded programs. Massachusetts has a comprehensive system of programs and supports to provide to individuals and families in need in order to achieve greater economic self-sufficiency.

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