2005 Alternate: eFolio Minnesota

This program provides Minnesota students and residents the ability to construct and deploy a free, multimedia, Web-based showcase of their educational and work force accomplishments.

2005 Finalist: MinnesotaHelp.info

This comprehensive online human services database contains more than 30,000 services and resources for providers and consumers of all ages, income levels and abilities.

2005 Finalist: Strategic Conservation Agenda

This program uses new approaches for defining and measuring progress toward statewide natural resources results. The program also uses 85 specific indicators and targets to measure results in six performance areas: natural lands, fish and wildlife, waters and watersheds, forests, outdoor recreation and natural resources stewardship education.

2004 Winner: Minnesota Advantage Health Plan

A cost-tiered system, this health plan has saved the state and employees millions of dollars while creating new levels of competition and incentives for efficiency in the health care market. The state continues to contract with the same three major health carriers for administration and network services, but there is now a single rate and employee contribution for all three plans.

2004 Finalist: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Network

This program provides support and expertise to families with babies who have hearing problems. It also educates people and doctors about the need to quickly identify and address hearing loss in babies.

2004 Finalist: Negotiations Module

A central system that provides a range of work force information, contract costing tools, and final contract settlement reports directly to management teams before, during and after contract negotiations with labor unions, this program allows for one-click work force information for use in reporting to customers.

2004 Finalist: Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Initiative

This initiative works to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the state as experienced by American Indians, people of color and other ethnic groups. The program addresses poverty, racism, language differences, cultural differences, environmental conditions and other factors that can be detrimental to the health of minorities.

2003 Finalist: Fisheries Easement Formulation Process

Minnesota’s Division of Fisheries designed this program to acquire stream easements to provide recreational and management access and to protect critical riparian habitat. These easements are acquired using a cost-efficient and creative formula that was adopted into state law.

Have an innovative program in your state? Apply for an Innovations award!