JIC RELEASE NO. 410 - Food Commodities Distribution Through Village Mayors, Community Organizations Continues; DPHSS Division of Public Welfare Operations Update

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE), State Agency for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Nutrition Service (FNS) is continuing the distribution of food commodities for October in partnership with village mayors and community organizations.

Commodities are being distributed through each mayor at the village level. Village distribution will be drive-through or door-to-door delivery to provide easier access to food commodities while minimizing traffic. Recipients will receive one bag of TEFAP food commodities per household to include egg noodles, elbow macaroni, cereal, instant milk, canned pears, peaches, beef stew, lentils, green split peas, yellow split peas, long grain rice, tomato sauce, orange juice, canned pork, banana chips, dried mangoes, and additional commodities as they arrive. 

Food commodities will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. Commodity distribution in each village will be available to village constituents only. Participants are reminded to wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, and follow all traffic directions and signage.

Village Mayor’s distribution schedule for next week is as follows:

Commodities are also being provided, in bulk, to community organizations. Organizations will distribute food commodities directly to their clients/families/households.

Food commodities schedule for community organizations for next week is as follows:

DPHSS Division of Public Welfare Operations Update
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Division of Public Welfare announces the following operations updates:

Bureau of Economic Security (BES)

• EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) Card: Those who need EBT Cards to access their SNAP benefits to purchase food, the BES Issuance Office in Northern Public Health will be open for those who are picking up their EBT Cards. Contact (671)635-7488/7484.

• For certifications, complete a request form and submit in the DROP BOXES located at the Northern Public Health or at the Central Office located at the RanCare Building in Tamuning. Please provide a good contact number. The certification will be available within 24 hours.

• Please submit applications, renewals, changes or other documents in the DROP BOXES located at the Northern PUblic Health or at the Central Office located at the RanCare Building in Tamuning or send an email to publicassistance@dphss.guam.gov. Please provide a working contact number.

• For inquiries please call:

  • BES North (Dededo) at (671) 635-7488/635-7484/635-7439/635-7396/635-7429

  • BES Central (RanCare Building in Tamuning) at (671)300-8853/300-8854/300-8850/300-8865

Bureau of Health Care Financing Administration (BHCFA)

• For Prior Authorization for on-island and off-island requests, please send an email or fax requests to:

  • Request for On-Island Prior Authorization:

    Email:  lillian.manuel@dphss.guam.gov or lourdes.fernandez@dphss.guam.gov

  • Request for Off-Island Prior Authorization:

    Email: gabrielle.bautista@dphss.guam.gov Fax: (671) 735-7476
    For inquiries please call: (671) 735-7473/7474 or 474-7231

• For Provider Claims submission, please submit in the DROP BOX located at the 3rd floor, Unit 3C, RanCare Building, 761 South Marine Corps Drive, Tamuning. Contact (671) 300-7330.

Bureau of Management Support (BMS)

• Work Programs Section (WPS):

  • Recipients participating in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program (JOBS) or Guam Employment Training Program (GETP) are excused from participating until such time they are contacted by their assigned JOBS/GETP Case Manager/Social Worker.

  • Participant Reimbursement Requests (PRR) for Transportation and/or Work-Related expenses for the months affected by the Pandemic beginning February 2020 (initially due no later than March 31, 2020) through September 2020 will be accepted no later than October 31, 2020 due to the expiration of the FY2020 grant funding.

  • Participant Reimbursement Requests (PRR) can be submitted via email to christine.sannicolas@dphss.guam.gov or patricia.mafnas@dphss.guam.gov or submit via DROP BOX located at the Castle Mall Building in Mangilao (same building as Mangilao Subway), Unit #15. Please provide a working contact number on the form.

  • For more information, contact the Work Programs Section at (671) 735-7256/ 7344/7368.

• Child Care Development Fund (CCDF):

  • Providers may drop off calendars and/or certificates at the Castle Mall office located in Mangilao (next to the Mangilao Subway) or send an email to CCDF at childcare@dphss.guam.gov

• Quality Control (QC):

  • Households that have been selected for Quality Control (QC) review will be conducted via phone in lieu of a face-to-face interview.

Bureau of Social Services Administration (BOSSA)

• The BOSSA office is located on the 3rd floor of the Terlaje Professional Building at 194 Hernan Cortez Avenue in Hagåtña. The office is open to the public by appointment only.

• For information on Bureau-related matters or to report child abuse and neglect, please contact (671) 475-2653/2672, Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Referrals may also be faxed to (671) 477-0500.  During after hours or any emergencies, please contact 911.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit dphss.guam.gov or guamrecovery.com. For inquiries on COVID-19, contact 311 through a local number, or call the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.