DES ON THE GO: Status Update

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) has 137 offices around the state, and serves some 2.2 million people.  Many of those live in remote areas, and getting to an office isn’t easy due to issues like distance from a local office or lack of transportation. Recognizing the challenges many rural residents face, DES decided to go to them, and in August 2016, DES ON THE GO became a reality.

A mobile program, DES ON THE GO involves two sport-utility vehicles that transport Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME) Family Assistance Administration (FAA) employees, their laptops and other equipment to remote locations in northern and southern Arizona. The FAA Program Service Evaluators (PSE) set up tables and tents to assist people with applications and interviews for food and cash assistance as well as health care needs. 

Six months after the launch of the program, DES ON THE GO has served nearly 300 clients in thirteen rural Arizona communities. The DES Office of Community Engagement expects those numbers to grow over the next couple of months as they continue outreach services in the rural areas.

The Marana Community Food Bank is one of the DES ON THE GO stops in Southern Arizona. It’s welcomed with open arms by Executive Director, Linda Hampton, who knows many of her clients have other needs, but would never be able to make the 15-mile drive into Tucson.

“They either wouldn’t have gas money, or they wouldn’t feel comfortable going to a downtown office,” said Hampton. “Also, many people are working two or three jobs and wouldn’t even have time to do that.”

At least once a month now, DES ON THE GO sets up outside the Marana food bank. At first, client traffic was a little slow. Hampton says even though she knows many of her clients have needs other than food assistance, it’s taken some time for them to ask for other help. She says they’re vulnerable and some are wary of government assistance. Others are reluctant to admit they have needs other than food, and some just don’t want to lose their place in line. 

“By [DES] being here month after month, and having us talk with them about it, I think they’ll become more comfortable with the idea of meeting the DES folks and getting that extra help,” says Hampton.

PSE, Kimberly Gonzales, has noticed clients warming up to them with each visit.

“[We’re able] to tell them, ‘we’ll be here once a month,’ and they ask, ‘what do I need to bring, and when are you going to come out?’” said Gonzales. “Once we get the word out, we’ll be able to get more interviews here.”

Signage and outreach in both English and Spanish have helped to inform those who visit the Marana Community Food Bank, which has plans to eventually give DES a permanent home. Construction on two portable offices that could house DES employees (essentially making it a DES on the Spot location) is set for May. DES would be available every weekday the food bank is open. 

The goal, Hampton says, is to shorten the line, not serve the line, and having DES at the food bank is part of that plan. 

“It has just helped us to think outside the emergency food box, if you will,” said Hampton. “We know that our folks have additional needs, so with your [DES] help, we’re just starting to say, ‘let’s connect with those who can help them’.”

Below is a list of DES ON THE GO location stops for both Southern and Northern Arizona:

Southern Arizona:

• Amado Community Food Bank
  28720 S Nogales Hwy
  Amado, AZ 85645
  520-398-2942
• Bowie Food Bank - Rural Accent Inc.
  219 W Bus Loop I-10
  Bowie, AZ 85605
  520-847-0847
• Cliff Whetten Clinic
  Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.
  10566 N Hwy 191
  Elfrida, AZ 85610
  520-642-2222
• Marana Community Food Bank
  11734 W Grier Road
  Marana, AZ 85653
  520-682-3001
• Green Valley Community Food Bank
  250 E Continental
  Green Valley, AZ 85614
  520-625-5252

Northern Arizona:

• Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Station
  630 County Hwy 91
  Littlefield, AZ 86432
  928-347-5114
• Colorado City Town Hall
  25 S Central St
  Colorado City, AZ 86021
  928-875-2646
• Fredonia Town Office
  25 N Main St
  Fredonia, AZ 86022
  928-643-7241
• Inscription House Chapter
  PO Box 5214
  Tonalea, AZ 86044
  928-672-2337
• Kaibab Paiute Tribal Office
  1 Pipe Springs Rd
  Fredonia, AZ 86022
  928-643-7245
• Red Valley Chapter House
  PO Box 304
  Red Valley, AZ 86544
  928-653-5800
• Shonto Chapter House
  PO Box 7800
  Shonto, AZ 86054
  928-672-2460
• Teec Nos Pos Chapter House
  PO Box 106
  Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514
  928-656-3662

For more location information on DES ON THE GO, including dates and times, please visit our DES ON THE GO website.