July was an active month beginning with Honoring Veteran Day at Target Field.  As guests of the Minnesota Twins, the nine Veteran Service Organizations in Minnesota were asked to have their leadership occupy the various positions on the field. With the bases covered, the sidelines were filled with military re-enactors in full wool uniforms, currently serving military and the National Guard unfolding the American flag for the national anthem.  To top it off, a flyover by World War II era planes brought the stadium to its feet.  It was an environment that excited all.  One could sense the pride of all the Veterans assembled, whether they were on the field or in the stands. I personally want to thank the Minnesota Twins organization for their inclusion of our Veterans as a part of their Fourth of July celebration, and in particular honoring the Veterans who served this great country.

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The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs’ Homeless Veterans Registry was among 10 winners of this year’s Minnesota State Government Innovation Awards. The awards, which recognize innovation and service redesign in state government, are hosted by the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

The Minnesota Homeless Veterans Registry, a collaboration between MDVA and MN.IT Services, connects Veterans experiencing homelessness in Minnesota with housing and services needed to obtain and maintain stable housing. MDVA spearheads the State of Minnesota’s efforts to end Veteran homelessness this year, the goal established by Governor Dayton, the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, 10 Minnesota Mayors, and the Federal government.

The Registry organizes available resources around each individual Veteran and their family and helps organizations serving Veterans collaborate in an unprecedented way to meet Veterans’ housing and service needs. Housing solutions are rarely the work of any one agency, so this innovation has contributed to a substantial increase in housing outcomes. Since its launch, 114 Veterans on the Registry have been housed.

The complete list of winners is available at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs website.