DEED Director of Performance and Technical Management Annie Tietema accepting the Merrill Baumgardner Innovation in Information Technology Award in Washington D.C.

St. Paul - The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and Minnesota IT Services (MNIT ) received a national award in Washington D.C. today. The state agencies were awarded the Merrill Baumgardner Innovation in Information Technology Award for developing the Workforce One Connect (WF1 Connect) mobile app, which allows Minnesotans participating in employment and training programs to communicate with program staff easily and efficiently. The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) presents the award annually to a state that has demonstrated excellence in the field of information technology.

"This is great example of how state agencies can use technology to improve efficiency and serve customers better," said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. "We are proud of this honor, and we won't stop with WF1 Connect when it comes to innovation. It's our goal to continually improve how we serve our customers and partners."

"The Minnesotans who use our programs often face significant barriers to employment. Making it easier to submit the required documentation, from a smart phone or other device, allows them to focus on getting prepared for and finding employment – not spending time copying and mailing documents," said DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. "During the pandemic when it wasn't possible to meet in person, WF1 Connect allowed caseworkers and other program staff to continue serving our enrollees."

"Mobile apps help us meet Minnesotans where they are by helping to connect them to the support they need when they need it. We are excited to share this award with our partners at DEED and DHS, and will continue to work across agencies to ensure we create products that are accessible and easy to use," said Tarek Tomes, MNIT Commissioner, and Chief Information Officer for the State of Minnesota.

"This new app created by Minnesota is a win-win for state agencies, program providers and their customers," said NASWA President & CEO Scott B. Sanders. "It simplifies the process for the customer while ensuring a secure way for program staff to communicate and receive documents."

The WF1 Connect mobile app for customers is integrated with the WF1 web-based case management system that employment and training program staff use daily, providing a seamless communication tool. Customers download the free app on their mobile device to log in and send messages and documents to staff. Staff retrieve messages and documents from customers within the WF1 web-based case management system, eliminating the need for additional systems for communication, document storage, and workflow processing. This leads to greater efficiency for program staff and reduces the likelihood of delay or interruption in benefits for program participants.

WF1 Connect is accessible to people who use assistive technology like screen readers and is usable in four languages: English, Hmong, Somali and Spanish. Development of the WF1 Connect app began in 2016 when DHS built a pilot version of the app with the assistance of the Future Services Institute in the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. After the pilot proved successful, the app was further developed by MNIT staff who support DEED. Now, it is utilized by multiple state agencies, county and tribal service providers, and community-based organizations. The Merrill Baumgardner Innovation in Information Technology Award was presented today during NASWA's Winter Policy Forum in Washington D.C.

Find out more about WF1 Connect.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more information about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website or follow DEED on Twitter. You can view resources to help Minnesotans prepare for and find employment now, including thousands of open positions throughout Minnesota, at CareerForceMN.com.