Outreach workers in the City of Reno, NV can now use a mobile app in a bid to optimize their efforts when working with the city’s unsheltered individuals. The new app – Direct Resource Outreach & Placement Service, or DROPS – was developed by the software companies ServiceNow and NewRocket.
The application includes a range of features designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of outreach efforts:
- Profile Collection: demographic data can be entered while in the field;
- Encounter and Journey Tracking: DROPS allows workers to capture a history of interactions with each unsheltered neighbor, providing real-time context and the ability to review the impact of early interventions;
- Case & Task Management: workers can immediately connect with third-party services to deliver the right services at the right time; and
- Reporting and Analytics: using ServiceNow’s AI capabilities, the app can transform data collected by outreach workers into actionable insights, enabling better decision-making, and trend analysis. This information will help the city quantify its impact on homelessness and identify areas where additional support and funding are needed.
The City of Reno, ServiceNow, and NewRocket plan to continue to collaborate on the future of the solution, which might include more integrations with third-party services and a version of the mobile app specifically for use by unsheltered individuals.
“DROPS is a game-changer for our city. By empowering our outreach team with this innovative technology, we are taking a major step forward in our efforts to tackle the challenge of homelessness. This app will help us make more informed decisions directly with the community we’re serving and ensure resources are provided when they are needed most,” Mayor Hillary Schieve said.