Statewide, AZ – (Nov. 2, 2024) – In our Leader Lens series, we are highlighting the visions of Arizona’s leaders who are committed to creating a stronger support network for veterans. During a recent Team of Teams meeting, each leader answered the question: If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about our work or our military and veteran community, what would it be? Their responses reveal unique insights and paths forward. Today, we explore the perspective of Dee Person, who believes that sharing the right information at the right time is essential for effective support and sees opportunities for innovation in overcoming barriers to information-sharing among organizations.

Dee Person, Assistant Director for the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, has witnessed the power of collaboration in veterans’ support but also the limitations that arise when organizations are unable to share information seamlessly. Many organizations are eager to help, yet data privacy policies, organizational silos, and other barriers often prevent them from coordinating their efforts effectively. Dee envisions a more innovative, streamlined approach to sharing information, one that allows organizations to collaborate fully without compromising privacy or trust. By enabling better information-sharing, Dee believes veterans would experience faster, more personalized, and holistic support.

The Vision: Breaking Down Barriers to Effective Information Sharing
Dee’s vision tackles a fundamental challenge in the veterans’ support landscape: the difficulty of sharing critical information between organizations. Veterans often need assistance across multiple facets, from healthcare and housing to employment and mental health services. However, the lack of shared data between organizations can lead to delays, missed opportunities, and fragmented support. Dee envisions a system that allows organizations to share information responsibly and efficiently, providing veterans with the seamless, comprehensive care they need.

For Dee, innovative information-sharing means finding ways to deliver crucial data to the right people at the right time while protecting veterans’ privacy. This might involve developing technological solutions that allow organizations to access anonymized or need-specific information without compromising personal details. For example, a healthcare provider could be notified if a veteran needs housing assistance without necessarily receiving sensitive personal information. Such innovations could enable organizations to respond more quickly and cohesively, ensuring that veterans receive holistic support promptly.

Additionally, Dee envisions a cultural shift where organizations view information-sharing not as a bureaucratic challenge, but as a collaborative responsibility. With a shared commitment to helping veterans, organizations could build trust-based partnerships that prioritize effective, secure communication. This approach would allow for more tailored support, as organizations could quickly identify veterans’ needs and connect them to multiple services without duplicating efforts.

Dee’s vision invites us to rethink how we communicate and collaborate in the veterans’ support community. Imagine a future where organizations work together seamlessly, sharing information that helps veterans receive immediate and well-coordinated care.

Further Reading

• • We Asked, Amanda French Answered
  • We Asked, John Scott Answered
  • We Asked, Lori Highberger Answered
  • We Asked, Maureen McCarthy Answered
  • We Asked, Steve Sample Answered
  • We Asked, Sylvia Preston Answered
  • We Asked, Tara Bingdazzo Answered
  • We Asked, Thomas Winkel Answered
  • We Asked, Wanda Wright Answered