AI in Human Services? Arkansas Support Network Shows How It Can Empower Individuals and DSPs
I’ll admit it — I really like tech and innovation.
But when I heard that Arkansas Support Network had trained an AI to be radically person-centered, my first thought was somewhere between “Are you for real?” and “This is a game-changer.”
But then I spoke with Dr. Syard Evans, and…wow. What they’ve created isn’t just a shiny tool. It’s a total values-driven reimagining of support planning — and one that’s making life better for the people they serve and the staff who support them.
Here’s what they’ve done — and why I think it matters for the future of human services.
The Problem We’ve All Felt but Rarely Say Out Loud
Support plans in our field are notoriously:
Time-consuming
Bureaucratic
Centered around compliance rather than the person
Practically useless when it comes to day-to-day implementation
Too often, they sit in digital filing cabinets gathering metaphorical dust. They’re not grounded in what people want for their lives, and they rarely help DSPs know how to show up differently.
Arkansas Support Network wanted something better.
So with the help of a grant, they trained an AI tool (called VEL: Visioning an Empowered Life) to flip the script entirely.
Wait, You Trained the Robot to Be…Anti-Ableist?
Yes. That’s exactly what they did.
VEL was trained using a library of values-based, person-centered content — not generic internet noise. It’s designed to ask a thoughtful series of questions (through a trained facilitator) to the person receiving services and generate:
Treatment goals rooted in the person’s actual aspirations
Positive affirmations about that person’s identity and journey
Affirmations for staff on how to support that person toward autonomy and independence
A daily shift guide that DSPs can actually use to make the support plan come to life in real time
Basically, they taught the AI to write in a way that reflects ASN’s deepest commitments — and then built tools to help translate those commitments into action.
As Dr. Evans put it during our conversation:
"We create... a package of implementation resources. We create an individual summary that really is targeted at the DSPs and frontline supervisors that is this kind of plain language description of the human being we are supporting from an assets and capabilities perspective."
That last part? Huge. Because we’ve all seen plans that technically include a person’s voice but still leave staff wondering, What do I actually do differently tomorrow?
VEL closes that gap.
Early Results: People Are Loving It
VEL is still being rolled out across ASN’s large organization—but the early feedback has been remarkably positive.
Individuals feel seen. Staff feel clearer and more empowered. And the person-centered values ASN is so passionate about? They’re finally making it into the everyday routines of direct support.
Best of all, VEL isn’t static. It’s designed to evolve with the individual’s needs, and it helps everyone stay focused on the future that person wants to create—not just the services they’re receiving.
And Guess What? You Can Do This Too
Here’s what makes me most excited: ASN isn’t keeping this to themselves.
They’re not selling VEL. They’re not pushing a platform. They’re training other providers on how to build their own version—an AI tool that reflects your values, your language, and the lives your teams support.
If you’re curious—even a little bit curious—about how AI could be used to help your team be more human, more connected, and more aligned with the vision you’ve been trying to implement for years, I really encourage you to check this out.
Want the Full Scoop?
You’ll hear the whole story—and get some great behind-the-scenes nuggets—in my conversation with Dr. Syard Evans on the podcast.
Episode 43 – Leveraging AI in Human Services
Whether you’re AI-curious or AI-cautious, it’s worth a listen.
And if you want to go deeper or explore what it would take to bring something like this to your own agency, reach out to Arkansas Support Network. They’re incredibly generous with their knowledge and would love to help others take this leap.
