Empowering Arizona Families: The Impact of the “Ask Mia” Chatbot

In an era where technology is reshaping how we access information and services, Valley Leadership’s Impact Maker, in partnership with Together for Arizona, 211, Solari, and many other partners, has developed Mia, an anonymous and secure AI solution to help families receive the information they need during times of hardship. Meet “Ask Mia,” an innovative AI-powered chatbot designed to connect Arizona families with essential resources quickly and efficiently.

A Real-Life Story: The Power of Ask Mia

During the process of reviewing data submissions to “Ask Mia,” Stephen, a team member, came across a conversation that stood out. Cynthia (name changed for anonymity) reached out to Mia for housing assistance after surgery left her homeless and living in a tent. Over a few hours, Cynthia interacted with the bot multiple times, providing her contact information and asking for help. Thanks to Mia and a partner organization, Cynthia received the support she needed. This story highlights the real-world impact of the chatbot, showcasing its ability to help those in urgent need.

 

Who is Together for Arizona?

Together for Arizona (TFA) is an initiative that focuses on improving outcomes for children and families across the state. By bringing together institutions, decision-makers, and community members, TFA works collaboratively to design and implement innovative solutions that address family well-being. The initiative specifically targets the protective factors that reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, such as parental resilience and social connections. Through programs like the “Ask Mia” chatbot, TFA connects families with essential resources in a more streamlined and accessible way. 

 

The Power of AI in Community Support

Ask Mia represents a significant leap forward in how social services are delivered. This virtual assistant provides anonymous and secure access to vital resources such as food, clothing, and cell phone assistance. What sets Ask Mia apart is its ability to rapidly connect users with high-quality services tailored to their specific needs.

Dave Brown, CEO of Valley Leadership, emphasizes the chatbot’s efficiency:

“Our big, overarching goal from the beginning was, how do we reduce noise? … By coming to the bot, with four simple options—food, clothing, cell phone, and other—you get connected to the right resources quickly, without overwhelming families in need.”

 

Key Features of Ask Mia

 

Development and Purpose of the Chatbot

The chatbot is specifically designed to reduce noise and stress for families in need. By providing quick, easy access to resources, it simplifies the process of finding help. The text-based, anonymous platform allows users to interact with it privately, ensuring that their search for assistance remains discreet.

Available in both English and Spanish, the chatbot caters to the diverse language needs of Arizona residents, making it accessible to a wide range of users. 

Accessibility and Privacy

One of Ask Mia’s most significant advantages is its accessibility. 

Rebecca Clyde highlights the user-friendly nature of the tool:

“One of the benefits of a chatbot is that you can interact with it privately and efficiently, just like texting a friend. It’s designed to handle specific, complex queries quickly, making it easy to get the right answers within minutes—whether you’re on a bus or at home.”

 

Through a series of straightforward questions, the chatbot helps families identify what they need—whether it’s food, clothing, or cell phone services—and connects them to the best available resources.

 

“Mia is a tool designed to make sure families can quickly find what’s out there to help them where they are,” says Cassie Breecher of Together for Arizona. This quick and efficient connection to services is particularly valuable for families in crisis, who may not have the time or resources to navigate complex systems.

 

Streamlining Support Services

Ask Mia plays a crucial role in reducing the burden on live-person case managers. By automating the initial connection to resources, the chatbot allows for effective and timely support, ensuring that human intervention is available where it’s needed most.

 

Quality Control and Future Iterations

To ensure the chatbot remains effective, its resources are regularly vetted for accuracy. The chatbot is also designed to encourage help-seeking behaviors, reducing the stigma that often surrounds asking for assistance. User feedback plays a crucial role in the continuous improvement of the chatbot, ensuring it meets the needs of those it serves.

“It’s just a new way of providing resources. The resources exist… How do we make it easier to access those lists and move into the 21st century, where families expect things to be easier?” adds Dave Brown, CEO of Valley Leadership.

 

The Impact and Future of Ask Mia

Since its launch, Ask Mia has shown promising results. From January to August, engaged users increased by 27%, while unique chatbot views rose by an impressive 73%. These numbers reflect the growing trust and reliance on this innovative tool.

The chatbot’s success is measured through utilization rates, diversion from the 211 helpline, and user experience ratings. As more families turn to “Ask Mia” for help, TFA is committed to expanding the chatbot’s capabilities to address additional needs, such as housing and childcare.

 

Availability and Accessibility

The “Ask Mia” chatbot is available on the Together for Arizona website and can be embedded on other websites to reach more families in need. It is also accessible via text, making it convenient for users to access resources on the go. 

 

Join the Movement

Together for Arizona invites organizations to join this innovative initiative by adding the Ask Mia chatbot to their websites. By spreading the word and increasing accessibility, we can ensure that more families in need receive timely and effective support.

Ask Mia is more than just a chatbot; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and compassion in addressing community needs. As we continue to evolve and improve this tool, we move closer to a future where every Arizona family has quick, easy access to the resources they need to thrive.

 

Want to learn more? Watch our on-demand webinar: Together for Arizona: Expanding Community Reach and Impact with the GenAI T4AZ Chatbot

 

Dave Brown, CEO, Valley Leadership: Dave Brown is committed to building communities, with experience leading Valley Leadership and the National NeighborWorks Association. He currently serves on the board for Home Matters to Arizona.

Cassie Breecher, Together for Arizona: Cassie Breecher, with nearly two decades of experience, helps teams fulfill their impact goals across various sectors, having founded Beyond Strategy Consulting Group in 2017.

Rebecca Clyde, CEO, Botco.ai: Rebecca  is an accomplished business leader with unique expertise in marketing automation and company building. Prior to Botco.ai, she founded Ideas Collide, an Inc. 5000 digital agency now in its 15th year serving Fortune 500 companies including major healthcare brands like Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona and Banner Health.