Minnesota Veterans are entitled to benefits they have earned. MDVA wants to make the process of applying for those benefits as easy as possible.

The Veterans Application Tracking System (VATS) project was launched in July 2015 and is comprised of several phases that ultimately will create a single, modern application system, with a combined database which will replace multiple legacy stand-alone systems. VATS created a number of processes to streamline Veterans’ interactions with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) including:

• Creating a secure electronic submittal process that replaced mail, fax, and in-person drop off. This increased efficiency and improved access to both customers and stakeholders, as well as ensured continued service during the COVID-19 shutdown.
• Shortening receipt of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs submittals by an average of three weeks. This significantly decreased administrative delays in Veterans receiving their benefits.
• Replacing paper workflow that contributed greatly to reaching the MDVA’s sustainability goals. MDVA and the County Veterans Service Officers reduced paper by an estimated 700,000 sheets per year.

In response to this success, the MDVA Programs and Services Division, along with our MNIT MDVA partners, was recognized with a “Golden GOVIT” award at the Fusion Learning Partners Government IT Symposium on December 8 for the recently completed VATS Claims phase. The VATS Claims project was selected as the winner from two other finalists in the “Service” category. The “Service” award recognizes “the delivery of digital information and transactional services that makes a difference in the lives of citizens.” Nominations were required to meet these criteria:

• Strong focus on the end-user’s accessibility and experience
• High level of citizen engagement
• Incorporation of the technologies used by today’s citizens
• Timely, informative content

This was the fourth different award the VATS solution has received!

MDVA Veterans Services Director Ron Quade noted: “The MDVA Claims and Field Operations VATS Core team deserves the credit. I am proud to have selected the right staff and their talent made this project the success it is.” The MDVA VATS Core Team included MDVA staff Jon Albert, Jeff Burth, Shawn Christopherson, John Ecker and Jennell Stai. As part of the grading and evaluation process, John Ecker completed an interview about the project with a judging team.

“In addition, the MNIT MDVA team was and is exceptional,” Quade continued. They included Mark Hird, Bill Palechek, Joe Ihrke and Kassie Church.

MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke applauded the team, stating: “Congratulations on developing a software that can better serve the Veterans of Minnesota. Well done!”