TO:	  Commissioners;  TA Directors; FS Directors;  WMS Coordinators 

FROM:	Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner

SUBJECT:	 Food Stamp Reauthorization Changes -Conference Call  schedule

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 4, 2002

CONTACT PERSON: Eastern Regional Team @518-473-1469

This is to notify local districts about the Food Stamp Program Reauthorization conference calls schedule.  As described in 02 ADM-7, local districts began implementing a series of important program changes on October 1, 2002.  To provide technical assistance during this time, staff from the Division of Temporary Assistance Eastern Regional Team have planned conference calls for local districts.  The calls will be held on three (3) separate dates: October 15th, 21st, and 22nd.  The purpose of these calls is to offer a forum in which any issues, questions or concerns related to the Reauthorization changes can be discussed and resolved.  Our experience using conference calls for the 60-month time limit, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Transitional Benefit Alternative (TBA) implementation proved to be extremely helpful in resolving implementation problems and answering questions.  

Districts are invited to take part in one of the conference calls which will last about one hour.  Below is the schedule for each district’s assigned days and times. 

We invite as many of your staff to participate in these conference calls, as you deem appropriate.  Due to the number of potential participants in each call, however, and to efficiently administer these calls, we ask that you appoint a spokesperson to coordinate your district’s questions.  In addition, if your district has more than one site, we ask that these calls be coordinated at one of your sites.

If your district would like to participate in the conference call, you may do so by calling 518 408-1500.  If you are calling from outside the 518 regional calling area, call toll-free 1-866-266-3697.  When prompted by the operator for conferee number, please respond with 121450.

In the event that your district does not wish to participate on a given day, but you have questions or problems, you may contact the Eastern Regional Team at 518 473-1469.

Food Stamp Reauthorization Conference Call Schedule
October 15, 21-22, 2002

Tuesday, October 15, 2002

Group One (10:00-11:00): Oneida, Chautauqua, Broome, Niagara, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Ulster, Rockland, Jefferson, St. Lawrence (10 counties)

Group Two (2:00-3:00): Hamilton, Lewis, Otsego, Wyoming, Schoharie, Putnam, Yates, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne (11 counties)

Monday, October 21, 2002

Group Three (10:00 –11:00): Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Warren, Washington, Livingston Cattaraugus, Orleans, Herkimer, Tioga (10 counties) 

Group Four (2:00-3:00): Ontario, Chemung, Allegany, Cortland, Cayuga, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Fulton (9 counties)

Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Group Five (10:00-11:00): Monroe, Erie, Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau, Onondaga, Albany, Orange, NYC HRA (9 counties)

Group Six (2:00-3:00): Genesee, Sullivan, Chenango, Tompkins, Oswego, Madison, Saratoga, Montgomery, Columbia (9 counties)

Conference Call Phone Number 518 408-1500 if you are local; or the toll free number 1-866-266-3697, if other than the 518 regional calling area.  When prompted by the operator for conferee number, please respond with,  121450.