How Anything Helps Leverages Technology to Clear Paths to Stability for People Experiencing Homelessness

At Anything Helps, our mission is to create and clear paths to stability for our unsheltered clients, and one of the many ways we do this is through the use of technology. Social services have been provided the same way for decades, with very few agencies embracing innovations in modern technology, but we believe that embracing these tools is absolutely vital to produce positive outcomes for clients within the nonprofit sector. By leveraging these technologies, we are not only transforming the way we work but also setting new standards for the social services sector.

Using AI to Automate & Improve Documentation

Traditionally, one of the most challenging aspects of social work has been managing the vast amounts of documentation required for compliance and reporting. Case managers often spend hours on paperwork, which can detract from their primary role of providing direct client support. At Anything Helps, we’ve turned to AI to solve this problem.

Our case managers serve our clients in the community, meeting them where they are, and they have completed their documentation by the time they return to their vehicles.

Our AI-powered system streamlines documentation by automating the transcription of client interactions. After each meeting or phone call, case managers simply leave a voicemail by calling the Anything Helps Service Mailbox, summarizing the interaction. The AI system then transcribes this voicemail into a detailed progress note that meets all state and federal compliance requirements. These notes are then reviewed by our administrator and, with the click of a mouse, submitted for billing.

The benefits speak for themselves:

• Time Savings: By automating documentation, we have significantly reduced the time our case managers spend on paperwork. Our case managers serve our clients in the community, meeting them where they are, and they have completed their documentation by the time they return to their vehicles. This time savings allows them to focus more on what matters most—engaging with clients, building relationships, and providing support.
• Attention to Detail and Compliance: Our AI system is programmed to capture all necessary details required for compliance, but also to capture all details of the interaction. Our case managers are encouraged to call the Service Mailbox immediately after their interaction while the details are fresh in their minds. This has allowed us to capture more details in our notes, and during recent audits, both state and federal agencies praised our documentation as among the most detailed and compliant they have ever encountered. This recognition reflects the accuracy and thoroughness of our AI-driven documentation processes.
• Consistency and Quality: The AI ensures that every progress note follows a consistent format and includes all required elements. This consistency improves the quality of our records, reduces the risk of errors, and enhances our overall service delivery.

Improving Outcomes with Machine Learning & Predictive Analytics

While automating documentation is a significant step forward, we are also using technology to turn what were once static progress notes captured purely for compliance reasons into dynamic, actionable data. Our AI system employs machine learning to analyze anonymized data from past interactions, identifying patterns and correlations between specific contexts and their outcomes.

The AI provides our case managers with a likelihood percentage that certain strategies will be most effective for specific clients during future interactions, taking into consideration their prior notes and the clients goals.

By doing so, the AI generates predictive insights that help us understand which interventions, approaches, or actions will most likely to lead to positive outcomes for each client. Here’s how this works in practice:

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: The AI provides our case managers with a likelihood percentage that certain strategies will be most effective for specific clients during future interactions, taking into consideration their prior notes and the clients goals. This allows us to make data-driven decisions rather than relying solely on intuition or experience.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptation: As the AI system collects more data, it continuously refines its understanding of what contributes to successful outcomes. This dynamic learning process means that our predictive model becomes more accurate over time, allowing us to adapt quickly to new challenges and refine our methods to deliver even better results in the future.
• Personalized Client Support: By understanding which interventions work best for different client profiles, we can tailor our services to meet each individual's unique needs. This personalized approach enhances client outcomes and strengthens the overall effectiveness of our programs.

Better Communication & Collaboration Through OpenPhone

In addition to automating documentation and using AI for predictive analytics, we’ve implemented a unified communication platform—OpenPhone—to streamline client interactions and improve team collaboration. OpenPhone allows us to provide a single phone number that clients can use to reach us, regardless of the time of day or the specific case manager they’re trying to contact.

This platform offers several benefits:

• Consistent and Accessible Communication: Clients can call, text, or email the same number, knowing they will receive a response from someone on our team. This consistency builds trust and ensures clients feel supported at all times.
• Collaborative Team Support: All communications through OpenPhone are shared across our team, allowing multiple members to engage in conversations, provide input, and respond as needed. This shared access ensures that clients receive timely help, even if their primary case manager is unavailable.
• Context-Rich Interactions: OpenPhone stores the entire history of each client interaction, providing context that helps our team respond more effectively. If a client reaches out after hours or when their primary contact is unavailable, any team member can review the conversation history and provide an informed response.

Leading the Way in Leveraging Technology for Social Good

At Anything Helps, we’re not just integrating technology into our operations; we’re redefining what’s possible in social work. By embracing AI, machine learning, and innovative communication tools like OpenPhone, we are creating a culture of continuous improvement that enhances client outcomes and team satisfaction, setting new standards for excellence in the social services sector.

OpenPhone has enabled our team to take a shared caseload approach, share insights with each other, and provide more coordinated care to our clients.

Our use of technology has fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration. OpenPhone has enabled our team to take a shared caseload approach, share insights with each other, and provide more coordinated care to our clients. This collaborative environment strengthens team dynamics, increases job satisfaction, and reduces turnover, as our staff feel empowered and supported in their roles.

At the same time, these tools help alleviate the administrative burdens that often lead to burnout. By automating documentation and centralizing communication, our case managers can focus more on direct client engagement—improving both their effectiveness and their work experience. The result is a dedicated workforce that is more satisfied and less likely to experience burnout.

Enhancing Data-Driven Decision Making with Privacy and Security

Our integration of AI and machine learning goes beyond improving documentation; it enables us to make data-driven decisions across all levels of our organization. From daily case management to strategic planning, we use data to guide every aspect of our work, ensuring we continuously refine our programs to meet client needs and maximize impact.

By setting high security standards and conducting regular audits, we demonstrate that innovation and privacy can coexist, setting a new standard in the sector.

As we leverage these advanced technologies, we prioritize privacy and data security to maintain our clients' trust. Our AI systems anonymize data before analysis, and all communication tools, such as OpenPhone, are encrypted and compliant with data protection laws. By setting high security standards and conducting regular audits, we demonstrate that innovation and privacy can coexist, setting a new standard in the sector.

Building a Future-Ready and Resilient Organization

Our focus on technology is about more than just improving current operations; it’s about preparing for the future. We are building a resilient organization that embraces change and innovation, positioning ourselves to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Whether adapting to new regulations, responding to shifts in client demographics, or scaling our services, we are ready to navigate whatever comes next.

Our innovative approach has earned recognition from state and federal agencies, positioning us as a model for best practices in leveraging technology for social good. By sharing our successes and lessons learned, we aim to inspire other organizations to adopt similar strategies, creating a ripple effect that leads to better outcomes for those in need.

A New Paradigm for Social Work

At Anything Helps, we are proving that technology and social work can work together to create more effective, compassionate, and secure services. By embracing innovation, we have enhanced care quality, reduced burnout, and improved outcomes for our clients. Our efforts demonstrate that technology can drive meaningful change, helping us achieve our mission to end homelessness and improve lives. As we continue to evolve, we remain committed to setting a new standard for excellence in the social services sector and creating a brighter future for all.