ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health’s Division of Public Assistance (DPA) has launched a new pilot program aimed at closing service gaps in rural communities by delivering in-person support directly to residents.
The initiative, called “DPA in-a-Box,” sends small teams of eligibility technicians and outreach staff to areas without a local DPA office, helping individuals apply for benefits like Medicaid, SNAP, and other public assistance programs. The first outreach took place June 9–12 in Kotzebue, in partnership with the Maniilaq Health Center.
“Strong communities start with strong connections — to each other and to the services people may need,” said Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg. “This pilot is a creative way to build those connections and bring real, hands-on support where it’s needed most.”
During the four-day visit, DPA staff met in person with 84 clients, helped process applications, and provided training on state service platforms such as the Medicaid Provider Portal and Alaska Connect. Health center staff also received support to better assist patients with navigating the public assistance system.
The goal of the program is to simplify the application process, reduce common barriers to access, and improve communication between providers, clients, and the state.
“This first visit confirmed the value of the approach,” said DPA Director Deb Etheridge. “We’re excited to apply what we’ve learned to upcoming visits and continue identifying and addressing access barriers.”
The department plans to expand the program to additional rural communities over the coming fiscal year, with future stops determined by need and local coordination.
Communities interested in hosting a future DPA in-a-Box visit can contact Erik Ross at erik.ross@alaska.gov for more information.