Success Stories

12 success stories available
FILTER

Ensuring computer access for senior veterans

Problem Statement

The roaming computers at Arizona State Veteran Home-Phoenix were out of warranty and in need of repair. ASVH-Phoenix is a 200-bed skilled nursing care facility for eligible Arizona veterans. The roaming computers are shared among residents who may not have their own devices for connectivity, enrichment and entertainment.

Residents at ASVH-Phoenix were experiencing delayed service because the computers were down. Initial quotes were for $25,000 for replacement.

 

Action Taken

The IT team researched prices for computers and found four all-in-one PCs with Windows 10 that were compatible with the existing rolling carts for $18,000 less than the...

Enhanced markers for our heroes' gravesites

Problem Statement

In-ground burial sites at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo in Bellemont—just West of Flagstaff—were difficult to locate during the winter due to snow and ice. Because of this issue, visitors had an increased risk of injury and frustration looking around the cemetery for their loved ones' gravesites. If visitors were unfamiliar with the cemetery and staff were not present, there was an increased risk of customers not finding the gravesite they were...

Action Taken

The team conducted four-box problem solving and decided to build additional markings that could endure snow and ice. The team used wood scraps and made and installed the...

Block Grant application time reduced by more than 50%

Problem Statement

The Arizona Department of Housing receives 40-50 Community Development Block Grant applications each year from small cities and counties (serving populations under 50,000). These rural Arizona governments are applying for approximately $10 million in federal grants for a wide range of infrastructure, community and housing needs. The time required for the review of CDBG applications was 90 days, and too much time was spent requesting missing information from applicants or...

Action Taken

The Community Development and Revitalization team used problem-solving techniques to remove ambiguities and eliminate redundancies in the Community Development Block...

Veterans' Services improves access to GI Bill for veterans

Problem Statement

The Arizona State Approving Agency was not meeting the turnaround goal time for the disposition of applications for educational institutions that can accept GI Bill funds.

Action Taken

The team conducted a process mapping exercise and a monthlong data collection process for each key step and then made three major process changes: 

  • Simplified the...

Veterans receive long-awaited high school diplomas

Problem Statement

There was no program in place to meet statutory requirements to award honorary diplomas to veterans who did not receive a high school diploma due to their honorable service in the U.S. military.

Action Taken

The Department of Veterans’ Services created a problem-solving group with the Arizona State Board of Education and the Arizona Department of Education to determine...