IOWA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

IOWAccess Concept Report

PROPOSED PROJECT

Provide for the complete redesign of the IDVA website Update the site to reflect current technology Add interactivity for forms Provide a secure link for counties to access

department information and fill out forms Establish read only documents Include vital information for mental health, PTSD,

counseling, and treatment Create a new page for families seeking help

WWW.IOWAVA.ORG

Current site is antiquated and difficult to navigate Links to veterans programs require user to scroll

through the page and are difficult to find Program links are not individually cited and difficult

to find Links such as “Commission” and “Counties” require

downloading Word documents that can be manipulated by the user. Also, downloading documents in a rural area can take a significant amount of time

www.iowava.org

OUTDATED LOOK

The IDVA homepage is not visually appealing The homepage does not fill the screen and has

considerable wasted space The homepage has too much text and requires

scrolling to access more importa nt information Need a link for “About the Department” and make the

homepage a portal to other pages

The contrast with the Iowa Veterans Cemetery is significant

OTHER STATES

When contrasted with other states, IDVA’s is lacking Style Information Interoperability

Examples of other states Illinois Kansas Minnesota

FORMS

IDVA has applications for many programs These forms are currently on the website but

require printing and mailing them inEstablishing an interactive form system will

expedite the application processCounties have expressed a desire to have a

secure link to submit forms and access information This would be similar to the nursing home reporting

system, currently available through our website

VETERAN OUTREACH

As part of 2007 legislation, IDVA was charge by the General Assembly to establish an outreach effort to veterans

This will be an effort to link local, state, and federal recourses to ensure veterans have easy and immediate access to vital information related to counseling and treatment programs

Hopefully, reducing the incidence of drug abuse, chemical dependency, and suicide among our heroes

A portion of this outreach would be to include this information on our website that is available around the clock

Currently, there are no health or counseling related links on the website, nor information on PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or other combat related conditions

FAMILY SUPPORT

Additional outreach is needed to provide information to family members who are supporting their veteran

Often, a veteran is unwilling to seek help as a soldier and families are the first point of contact for providing help to an afflicted veteran

Links and information are essential to guide families to appropriate counseling, clinical, or hospital settings

Again, these links are currently not available and need to be added

REQUEST

IDVA is requesting initial funding of up to $15,000 to perform a scope analysis study for our site redesign

WHO WILL THIS NEW SITE SERVE

Our main priority…

THE VETERAN AND THEIR FAMILY

The counties providing direct services to veterans

The public interested in what the State of Iowa is providing to veterans

The department, by expediting the application process and promoting veteran services

THANK YOU

A redesigned website will enhance the department’s

ability to provide essential services to veterans