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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact:
June 11, 2013 Anna Long
(651) 757-1536
(651) 263-2640 cell
anna.long@state.mn.us
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the launch of their newly redesigned website at MinnesotaVeteran.org. In its continuing effort to be in the forefront of providing the best service and care for the state’s 370,000 Veterans, MDVA is excited to present this new and improved resource to a broad audience of Veterans, families, community, state and federal leaders, members of the media, and the community at large.
MDVA partnered with High Monkey Consulting (HMC), based in Roseville Minn., on development of the new design. Over the last year they worked with staff across MDVA to support the Department’s mission of “Serving Minnesota Veterans and their families.” Created specifically with Veterans and families in mind, the website is designed to be user friendly with improved navigation that will serve as a vehicle to help Minnesotans get timely information and news.
“This website provides a vibrant, seamless view of our department and the resources available to Minnesota Veterans. This is just another example of how we’re committed to making Minnesota Government better for Veterans who served, as well as those who continue to serve. The end result of our new MDVA website was based largely on feedback from our stakeholders - the Veterans we serve - alongside extensive research and testing that has brought us to this unveiling,” said Larry Shellito, MDVA Commissioner.
Featuring a nostalgic “retro” design, the home page of the site welcomes online users with a rotating carousel of featured items that include women Veterans, the Support our Troops license plates, Veteran employment and more. The structure is divided between major menu items of About, News, Benefits & Resources, Memorials & Burials, Veterans Homes, LinkVet Support, and a new Blog. Visitors and users can find out how to request discharge papers, learn about the GI Bill, access employment resources, take a virtual tour of any of the five State Veterans Homes, subscribe to the new blog, learn about state Veteran memorials, start a live chat and much more. The site also incorporates video and multimedia elements, a new pressroom, LinkVet’s FAQ Veteran support portal and more.
State Veterans Homes
The site also includes a vast amount of information on the five State Veterans Homes, which provide skilled nursing care and domiciliary “board and care” to this country’s heroes. When the Minnesota Veterans Homes merged with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007 the websites were also merged. With the redesign, the information is now accurately blended and unified, creating one seamless experience for the user. Highlights include virtual tours, details about admissions, care and services, the history of the Homes and how the community and families can get involved.
“This site is a reflection of everything the Homes represent, which is the best care possible for our nation’s heroes. As they navigate the new site, users will experience our important shift to Resident-centered care provided at each of our five Homes. Veterans and their family members can utilize this site to make important decisions about long-term care,” said Michael J. Gallucci, MDVA Deputy Commissioner of the Veterans Health Care Division.
Programs and Services
The benefits and resources section of the redesigned website offers Veterans and families information on topics including education, employment, health & disability, burials, assistance and other state and federal resources.
“This website is a symbol of our continued dedication to deliver pertinent information in a timely manner. It’s also our responsibility to present this information in a setting that is easy to find,” said Reggie Worlds, MDVA Deputy Commissioner of Programs and Services.
The site will promote and be accessible through the URL of www.MinnesotaVeteran.org, but will also be accessible through the official state website address mn.gov/mdva.
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