Mark Shuttleworth interviewed Laura Heltz, the Executive Director at the Veterans Outreach Center in Rochester.
-Laura talked about a new partnership they have with a local company that designed an app called “Here Now Help.”
-Laura said the Veterans Outreach Center is the 1st organization in New York State to pilot this program with 100 veterans.
-They are doing it through their homeless shelter, veteran treatment center and Peer Connection Center
-The app uses artificial intelligence to assist veterans with addiction and mental health issues.
-They are able to program in safety features, for example if a veteran knows they are more likely to do drugs or drink when they go to a certain location, the app will alert the veterans support team to let them know he or she may be in trouble.
-Veterans are able to get positive support, do daily reflection and many other functions with the app.
-The app provides them 24/7 support.