Associated Press - May 27, 2009 10:04 AM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Department of Human Services is hiring 112 temporary workers to focus on family services.

Funding for the positions is coming from federal economic stimulus money and from a match by the federal Medicaid program. They are contributing about $3 million each.

The jobs will pay about $28,000 a year and will end at the end of 2010, which is when the $6 million will run out.

The agency says most of the workers will be used to determine the eligibility of families for public assistance, such as for food stamps and Medicaid. Applications are up because of the recession.

DHS has a high turnover rate but it anticipates being able to draw on the temporary workers for full-time positions as those come open.

Information from: The Morning News, http://www.nwaonline.net/

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