MDVA 2019 Annual Report
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2019 ANNUAL REPORT MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STRONG TOGETHER MDVA Programs National Recognition MDVA Healthcare Veterans Benefit New Programs Added Veteran Crisis Care Staff Additions Based Fifth Continuum of Care Veterans Adult Day Serve More Minnesota for MDVA Programs Facilities Rated Top through 2019 MN to Enhance Healthcare at the Forefront on Expanding Care (Southeast Minnesota) Center Program Veterans in 2019 & Facilities in the Nation Legislature Work for MDVA Declares End to Veteran Remains Exemplary A Resident alarm reduction In 2019, MDVA saw double Homelessness 19 WAYS IN MDVA's MN CORE program served MVH-Minneapolis hosted the All MDVA Skilled Healthcare Five legislative bills benefiting program and quality assurance LinkVet services to Veterans digit percent increases MDVA's Adult Day Program is program 63% more Minnesota counties in grand opening of the nation's Homes, as well at the Adult Day Veterans were signed into law were both implemented in crisis increased 150% in 2019. in filling open healthcare The collaborative effort among one of only three programs positions that included 2019 over 2018. first on-site dental clinic in Center, received Pinnacle's by Governor Tim Walz in 2019. at the MVH-Fergus Falls Home. MDVA and many public and in the nation. registered nurses, nursing a State Veterans Home. Best in Class ratings for 2019. These included a finance bill to 2019 calls to LinkVet regarding private partners to end Veteran Veterans Application MVH-Minneapolis added a Homeless Registry services assistants/aides, and The Adult Day Center was a A new fund MDVA for 2020-21, a Tax Bill homelessness is enhanced Tracking System specialized cardiovascular increased 200%. pharmacy personnel. 2019 LeadingAge Quality Award for the MN GI Bill Governor Tim Walz and MDVA MDVA Veterans Homes received benefiting disabled Veterans, by the use of a nationally conditioning group to the recipient for their Make Zero was developed in 2019 allowing Commissioner Larry Herke an average 4.85 out of 5.00 in a Judiciary Bill to address recognized, statewide registry "Overall Satisfaction" rehabilitation program. Behavior health issues A newly designated SSAP Harm Possible program. 2019 applicants to now apply online were featured on the CBS This the Pinnacle domestic abuse issues resulting of homeless Veterans. The training team was organized to for benefits, track the progress, Morning national news program rating, far exceeding the national from PTSD, a Jobs Bill to support accounted for 52% of the MDVA PROUDLY SERVED VETERANS The One Program, Two Sites, counseling care provided to assist both CVSO and MDVA staff. goal remains that Minnesota Pinnacle's Best In Class Customer and view benefits awarded. to discuss the success of average set at 4.08. the Helmets to Hard Hats fourth state Three Paths program was Veterans through MN CORE. becomes the Rating was awarded to the Adult Minnesota's Ending Veteran initiative, and a Legacy Bill for MDVA expanded the SOAR team to effectively end Veteran Employers assisted through MDVA Domiciliary program was developed and implemented Day Center for 12 consecutive MDVA received bi-partisan Homelessness program. three funding programs to to three full-time members to IN THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, at the Domiciliary. Two bills to specifically address homelessness. months in 2019. MDVA's employment services awarded the 100% Deficiency honor Veteran service. Veterans in crisis passed in the serve MN Veterans statewide. support including an increase in the amount available annually increased more than 200% MDVA's SOAR Program video Free status by the Federal Training programs for 2019 2019 legislative session. One to support the Minnesota CORE Program (Counseling and Case in 2019 over 2018. was honored with a Gold Marcom Department of Veterans Affairs. Established remembrance days award, and the Heroes & History focused on end of life care, provides funds for domestic abuse in Minnesota to recognize POW/ safety, dementia care, Management Outreach, Referral, and Education), a program designed SOAR SSI/SSDI claims Documentary received a Marcom U.S. News & World Report prevention, the other increases Approved MIA Veterans, Veteran Suicide mental health care, infection increased Honorable Mention. named MVH-Luverne and funding for Veteran counseling. to bring essential, community-based services directly to Veterans 4% in 2019. Awareness, American Allies, and prevention, suicide prevention MVH-Silver Bay two of the a day to remember those who 2018 Annual Report Best Nursing Homes. and awareness, as well as and their families across Minnesota. Over $2.4 million Legislative MDVA's nation's served in the Secret War in Laos. and SOT Grants were awarded in Evolving was recognized sustainability. with a Platinum Hermes Centers for Medicare/Medicaid 8th Year Unsafe MDVA IS PARTNERED with the communities of Bemidji, Montevideo 2019 to organizations dedicated One-time funding was awarded An on-site infection control international award. rated MVH-Silver Bay as one of MSP Airport Incidents at Homes to serving Veterans' needs. to improve the program at MVH-Silver Bay and Preston to build three new Veterans Homes. The Minnesota the Top Nursing Homes, and Armed Forces Service Center, was expanded. Lower Than Anticipated More than 2,700 Federal and Preston Cemetery was selected awarded both MVH-Silver Bay and and to recognize Minnesota Legislature allocated state funds in 2018 for all three projects, and 5-Star rating. State claims advocating for as the site for the National MVH-Luverne with a WWI Veterans with an updated For every year since the MDVA is currently awaiting a Federal funding decision. Veterans benefits were Cemetery Administration’s video memorial plaque located in the MNSafe program's inception filed in 2019, and more than documenting the importance of Capitol’s Court of Honor. Partnerships with in 2012, the safety incidents THE MINNESOTA STATE CEMETERY in Preston received 240 hearings were conducted, state cemeteries dedicated to MDVA Skilled Care MDVA Grow in 2019 at the MDVA Veterans Homes representing a 66% increase Veterans and their families. Facilities Operate at have come in lower than the MDVA an Operational Excellence Award from the National Cemetery over 2018. The number of partnership target rate set by MNSafe. Near Capacity MDVA Staff WHERE YOU ALWAYS BELONG Administration. This award followed a National Cemetery Compliance organizations and firms working MDVA Education and Employment Occupancy at the MDVA Skilled Achieve Milestones with MDVA to provide services Review that resulted in a score of 98 percent, recognizing Preston as Division delivered over Satisfaction for MDVA Care Veterans Homes registered and care to Veterans and their $112 million in Federal Programs & Services at 93% to 97% throughout 2019. 100 staff members at families grew by over 20% one of the finest Veterans Cemeteries in the nation. ® GI Bill education funds. at an All Time High MVH-Minneapolis were in 2019. MDVA distributed more than recognized in 2019 for a A dedication ceremony at MDVA's newest State Veterans Cemetery $1.9 million in Minnesota GI Bill MDVA's MN CORE counseling combined 1,000 years of service. Funds for educational use, program received an Significant near Duluth was held in September. Since opening on Veterans Day MVH-Luverne's 25th year and over $1 million in state average 99.5% satisfaction Improvements Made GI Bill Funds anniversary celebration included 2018, the location has already interred 111 Veterans and spouses/ utilized for Veteran rating for 2019. to MDVA Facilities employment purposes. honoring 25 staff members that dependents. have served all 25 years. MDVA Cemeteries received Over 50 facility improvements a 98.9% overall satisfaction were completed in 2019 at WITH A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY, MDVA has a cost of $44.4 million. Four Adult Day Center assistants rating from the National were honored by LeadingAge for made progress in 2019 on goals regarding energy and water use, work in Veteran safety. Cemetery Administration The implementation of more their for FY19. than a dozen programs solid waste and greenhouse gas reduction, and use of fossil fuels. were Three MDVA healthcare team initiated in 2019 designed to Note this symbol throughout MDVA's 2019 Annual Report, MDVA's Claims program was members received CPR conserve resources, save on recognized by BVA Judges Instructor Certification in 2019. used to highlight the Veterans Homes and departments energy, reduce waste, lower for exceptional preparation, that initiated a new sustainability practice in FY19. the consumption of products, performance, and and advance green space professionalism. practices at MDVA. “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” SINCE PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SPOKE THESE WORDS in 1865 during his second inaugural address, or Americans have embraced our duty, honor and privilege to care for Veterans. At the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs ON JANUARY 7, 2019, (MDVA), these words still ring true as we continue the tradition the Minnesota Department of caring for Minnesota’s Veterans and their families. of Veterans Affairs welcomed its 18th Commissioner, Larry Herke. I have had the honor to serve as the Commissioner of MDVA since The experience Herke brings to my appointment in January 2019. Both Minnesota Governor Tim MDVA's staff of 1,423 includes 30 years Walz and I are Veterans; I served 30+ years in the U.S. Army