DHHS plans pilot program
Seeks broader Piscataquis area presence
DOVER-FOXCROFT — During a meeting last fall with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Mary Mayhew, residents of the region spoke about the need to reestablish an agency presence in the region to increase access for those seeking DHHS services. Previously these individuals had only a kiosk in the Penquis lobby and needed to travel to Bangor or beyond.
As a result of the meeting and the efforts of various social service agencies, the region’s Legislative delegation and others, the DHHS will launch a pilot program to bring DHHS eligibility specialists to Penquis — at 50 North Street.
In a letter to Sen. Paul Davis (R-Sangerville), Rep. Norman Higgins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) and Rep. Paul Stearns (R-Guilford), Mayhew wrote the DHHS was mandated to provide a report to the Health and Human Services Committee on efforts to reach individuals in rural Maine. “As a result of that review and report, DHHS, Office for Family Independence agreed to establish a pilot program to determine if local accessibility in Piscataquis County would be of value for local residents and the operation of state programs,” Mayhew wrote.
“The pilot will consist of DHHS availability at an itinerant site in Dover-Foxcroft. Two eligibility specialists will be available on the first Tuesday of each month beginning in June at the new itinerant site which will be located at (Penquis). Clients will receive face-to-face assistance on par with that provided by our regional offices for applications, re-certification and case maintenance related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (food stamps), MaineCare, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and emergency assistance. The department will notify clients in Piscaaquis County of this availability and will post signage,” the commissioner wrote.
“Over the course of the pilot, the department will assess the value of the itinerant site to the community and the state and determine appropriate next steps,” Mayhew wrote.