Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Interim Commissioner Stacey Monahon came to Fall River for one of her statewide Bridge to Stability Listening Sessions held at the Fall River Public Library on June 6, 2013. The purpose of the tour is to allow residents from each region of the Commonwealth an opportunity to share ideas, provide feedback and tell stories aobut transitiional assistance programs that providee a bridge to stability during difficult times. "The tour will help the Department improve our policies, procedures and process to ensure that taxpayer resources are used appropriately and as intended," said Commisioner Monahan in a press release. The DTA launched a 100 Day Action Plan in March to combat fraud and criminal activity around government welfare programs. The Commissioner said her agency is particularly concerned about stores which buy or otherwise misuse EBT cards provided to individuals enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). According to the Herald News, the Commissioner reported that the DTA has 87 employees in its fraud division and will be hiring ten more. Click here for the Herald News article about the visit. For more information about the DTA, contact Matt Kitsos at 617-348-5614.

(Top row, left and right) Christine Alaimo and Grace Garcia sign people in as they enter. (Top row,center) Matt Kitsos welcomes people to the Listening Session in the Community Room of the Fall River Public Library, (Row two) Interim Commissioner Stacey Monahan explains the purpose of the tour to those in attendance. (Row three) People watch a five-minute video that explains the mission of the Department of Transitional Assistance. (Bottom row) State Senator Michael Rodrigues and City Council President Linda Pereira were in attendance along with other DTA officials and member of the press.