Aug. 16, 2006 – The grounds of Government House were abuzz with excitement Wednesday, as local and federal officials gathered to honor representatives from the Department of Human Services for making the V.I. Food Stamp Program the second in the nation during 2005.
Because of the program's low error rate, representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture also presented Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull with a High Performance Bonus award in the amount of $188,353.
The V.I. Food Stamp Program, which is federally funded through the USDA's Division of Food and Nutrition Services, has been receiving bonus awards since 1995, and was ranked No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic region. This is the first time, however, that the program has received top honors on the national level.
"We are honored by the work you have done, but most importantly, the people you serve are honored by your hard work, commitment and professionalism," Roberto Salazar, administrator of Food and Nutrition Services for the USDA, said to the department's staff.
"It is because of agencies like yours that the federal Food Stamp Program in the U.S. has achieved the highest program accuracy rate ever in its existence."
After the meeting, Salazar explained that guidelines for the Food Stamp Program are set by Congress, and are maintained on the national level by the USDA. "So when an applicant applies for food stamps at the local level, Human Services has to make sure that individual is eligible for benefits based on the standards set by the federal government," he said.
Salazar added that the Human Services is also responsible for making sure benefits are awarded "accurately" to individuals, based on their income, other financial resources and residency status. "By program accuracy, we mean that Human Services makes sure that applicants receive the right amount of benefits based on the federal criteria," he said.
Local government officials shared Salazar's opinion, and had much praise for the department during Wednesday's reception. "It is good to see, in these times when we are given so much bad news, that we don't have to be the worst at anything – that we can be among the best," said Juel R.T. Molloy, Turnbull's chief of staff.
"This honor has been made possible through the efforts of a dynamic commissioner and a wonderful staff who have remained highly motivated and have shown that they truly care," she added. "And while I am very, very proud of you, the real winners here are the citizens of the Virgin Islands who are able to receive timely and accurate services because of your efforts."
Turnbull also had glowing praise for Halbert and her staff, and challenged the department to push the Food Stamp Program into the No. 1 slot this year. "I think it's looking good – very, very good," he said.
Ermin S. Boschulte, Human Services financial programs administrator, said after the meeting, "I feel excellent, I feel great."
"And it's really thanks to the efforts of an outstanding staff that we were able accomplish what we have," Boschulte said.
"It's a really humbling experience because this is the first time we've ranked this high on the national level. It's truly wonderful."
During 2005, Human Services received $4 million from the federal government to run the V.I. Food Stamp program, which services approximately 14,000 residents throughout the territory.
The amount of funding given to the program is determined by how many individuals apply for food stamps on the local level, and the amount of benefits awarded.
High Performance Bonus awards are given to states and territories based on case reviews conducted by USDA on benefits given to residents. The amount of funding earmarked this year for the Food Stamp Program within the states and territories is $33 billion.
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