IVR App - Social Services

Social Services

• Neighborhood Watch

  Many local citizen's groups have formed neighborhood watch associations to guard against crime. Computer telephony systems can be used to coordinate these efforts and to report trouble when it occurs. Members of the watch group call a number to listen to a report on problems experienced in the neighborhood. If information needs to be circulated quickly to a large number of homes the system dials numbers automatically and plays a recording.

• Job Lines

  A community job line can speed up the search for employment and provide an easy means of accessing information for the unemployed. The system is programmed to take input from employers indicating the type of job, job description, salary, and other pertinent items. Job seekers dial the system and search for jobs by category, following system prompts.

• Unemployment Verification

  People receiving unemployment benefits are required to report periodically to unemployment agencies who keep track of their efforts to find a job. A lot of time is wasted waiting in line, answering questions and filling out forms. A computer telephony system can help automate some of these procedures. Each person receiving unemployment compensation is required to call the system at the end of each week and enter their social security number for verification. They are prompted to enter the telephone number of any business who had interviewed them that week. They are then asked to record a message indicating if they worked that week and on which days. Case workers transcribe this information into their records during the week.

• Emergency Services

  Computer telephony systems can be used in conjunction with emergency telephone systems to detect the incoming telephone number of the caller and to look up the address automatically. This helps the operator determine the location of the caller as soon as the call comes in so that emergency vehicles can be dispatched immediately even when the caller is unable to provide a location.

• Elder Check

  Computer telephony systems can be used to automatically call the elderly and homebound on a regular schedule. If the call is not answered, a social worker or volunteer can be dispatched to check on the person.

• Community Voice Mail

  Computer telephony systems can be used to provide telephone services for the homeless or other groups who do not own telephones but need access to telephone services. Individuals, who can receive messages at any time at private voice mail boxes, can use the system to check on job opportunities or stay in touch with family members.