ANDI MARTINEZ

MHA,
Veterans Experience
Office, Senior Partnerships
Advisor & Special
Assistant

MATTHEW A. CAMPBELL

MBA, ACHE, Veterans
Experience Office,
Partnerships Program
Specialist & Consultant

ANGELA SPATZ

Veterans
Experience Office,
Partnerships Program
Specialist & Consultant

The VetResources Community Network (VRCN) team is being recognized for revolutionizing Veteran care through their innovative use of technology and human-centered practices to enhance connectivity and collaboration across disparate Veteran-serving organizations nationwide. Leveraging the Community Idea Lab powered by Medallia Ideas, the VRCN fosters a culture of innovation and co-creation among stakeholders including nonprofits, Veterans Service Organizations, and federal agencies. This platform facilitates crowdsourcing of ideas, challenges, and feedback, employing gamification techniques to encourage participation and refine concepts into actionable solutions.

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Since its launch in November 2022, the Idea Lab has rapidly grown into a vital tool for engaging nearly 300 active users across the VA community. It has facilitated over 100 ideas and comments, addressing critical areas such as access to care, mental health, benefits utilization, and toxic exposure support. This growth highlights its effectiveness in breaking down organizational silos and enabling scalable collaboration, ultimately benefiting our nation's Veterans by enhancing service delivery and care solutions.

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Moreover, the VRCN's initiative has led to a significant increase in community engagement, with post and page views exceeding 5,000 in Q1 of FY2024 alone. This surge in activity underscores the platform's role in fostering community interaction and idea exchange, supporting the VA's mission to improve Veteran outcomes through innovative solutions and best practices.

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The impact extends beyond the VA, with other agencies expressing interest in adopting similar practices. This recognition as a best practice exemplifies the VRCN team's commitment to advancing public service and enhancing community engagement through technology-driven solutions. Their proactive approach in bridging gaps and fostering connectivity has set a new standard for collaborative innovation within the Veteran support ecosystem, ensuring that Veterans receive the highest quality of care and services nationwide.