Friday, November 30, 2018

VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience

VA takes key step to improve its website to provide Veterans an enhanced digital customer experience
 
WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) took a key step in its digital modernization effort by revamping its website accessed by 10 million customers per month who use VA's tools and content online.
To improve this experience VA's Veterans Experience Office and VA Digital Service  gathered feedback from more than 5,000 Veterans, service members, their families, caregivers and survivors.
Many customers said they were having a frustrating experience, encountering a complicated collection of websites, forms, logins and tools.  Through feedback, VA learned that many of them struggled to find what they needed. By listening to Veterans and working across VA organizational boundaries, the new VA.gov website shifts from a "VA as an organization" to a "customer-first" platform.
"Veterans, their families, caregivers and our many customers have successful online transactions in their day-to-day lives," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "They should expect the same exceptional digital experience when coming to VA. Our customers will receive a more simple and intuitive experience when accessing our online front door – the new VA.gov."
The new site contains homepage content that focuses on the top 20 tasks that 80 percent of VA's customer's need, the ability to login to receive a personalized experience and easy to understand plain language content. Logged in customers will find a dashboard summarizing the current status of services they receive from VA, whether those services are provided by the Veterans Health Administration – such as prescription refills or the Veterans Benefits Administration – such as claim status. Customers can also update their contact information in one location rather than visiting multiple VA websites or making multiple calls.
VA is demonstrating that it is possible for Federal agencies to give the American people the online experience they expect and deserve. VA has been identified as the "co-lead" of the White House cross-agency priority goal on improving customer service.
 
Here is the link: https://www.va.gov/
Respectfully;
 
Mark A. Meadows  (CBSP) (GCDF)
Community Employment Coordinator
John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
4646 John R. Street Detroit MI 48201
Phone: (313) 576-4950
Cell: (313) 608-7615
United States Marine Corps Veteran
 
      
VA Core Values: Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect Excellence
VA Core Characteristics: Trustworthy | Accessible | Quality | Innovative | Agile | Integrated
 
 
    
 
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Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Welcome to the Fisher House Michigan Family



Welcome to the Fisher House Michigan family!
What is a Fisher House?
A Fisher House is like a Ronald McDonald House, built near VA hospitals for the families of our military and Veterans who need inpatient medical services. A temporary home away from home, Fisher Houses keep loved ones together during medical care. 
A home away from home, Fisher Houses typically include 16 private family suites for Veterans and their families. Additionally, unlike a hotel, families share common areas, including a kitchen, laundry, and dining room which help create a support network among the families. The best news? These families will never pay a dime to stay in a Fisher House. 
Why Fisher House Michigan?
There are 650,000 Veterans living in Michigan, and there are 5 major VA Medical Centers to support them. However, while there are nearly 80 active Fisher Houses around the world, there are NONE in Michigan yet. Working in collaboration with the Fisher House Foundation and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Fisher House Michigan aims to change that. 
Fisher Houses have been approved for both the Ann Arbor and Detroit VA Hospitals, and Fisher House Michigan has set a strategic goal of raising $20,000,000. This amount will fund these first two houses, support the families during their stay in these houses, and endow a future for any other Fisher Houses in the state the VA authorizes.
These are first-class facilities, beautifully designed and well built. Our military heroes deserve nothing less. They are not financed by the VA but rather by private citizens and corporate donors, who want to give back for the safety, security, freedom and comfort our military provides.
Michigan is overdue for a Fisher House, and will get its first in Ann Arbor after groundbreaking occurs in 2019. The Fisher House at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center will follow in time. 
Fisher House Michigan is largely a volunteer organization, with a tiny professional staff. But in just over 18 months, this passionate team has raised over $4,000,000 toward their $20M goal. What's more, the careful stewardship of each donor dollar has won FHM a Platinum Rating for transparency from Guide Star Charity Rating System.
With an annual Veterans story-telling event that draws thousands, and with special fund-raising events all year like the  Memorial Day Match and the Patriots Pledge, Fisher House Michigan recognizes the exceptional sacrifice our Active Military and Veterans have made.
How can you help?
Watch for challenge match periods when you can DOUBLE your impact.
Follow us on Social Media to stay updated with our progress, special events, and to help spread the word!
 



Our Contact Information
Fisher House Michigan
3250 Plymouth Road
Suite 103

Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(518) 481-0552
www.fisherhousemichigan.org

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