AI in Human Hands:
Five Ways AI Can Help I/DD Providers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept in human services. It is being utilized by I/DD providers around the country right now. AI can offer effective assistance and insights to everyone from DSPs to executive leadership. This was the focus of “AI in Human Hands: Tools for More Impactful Services,” a session at the ANCOR Connect ‘26 conference. Presenters Justin Brockie, Chief Operating Officer of Therap, and Josh DeZurik, National Director of Quality Affirmation of Dungarvin, discussed real‑world examples of how AI is helping agencies streamline documentation and data analysis to improve supports.

Here are five takeaways from the session about why AI is a powerful asset for I/DD providers:

1. Unlocking Insights from Written Records

   AI is allowing providers to unlock insights from narrative documentation like daily notes. While numerical data is easy to analyze, qualitative details are often overlooked because of the time needed to review contextual data. During the session, Josh DeZurik explained how AI is the key to pulling helpful insights without requiring staff to spend hours scanning notes Modern AI reads between the lines, much like a human would. As Josh noted, AI doesn't just search for a keyword like ‘choking’—it also flags related terms like ‘coughing’ or ‘wheezing.’ This ability to understand context gives providers valuable qualitative insights, like whether staff are using person‑centered language.

2. Giving Staff Real‑Time Feedback on Entries

   Because well‑trained AI understands context, it can also identify when information is missing. In his portion of the session, Justin Brockie talked about Therap’s QA Assistant, a “good angel on your shoulder” that offers in‑the‑moment feedback on documentation entries. At many agencies, quality assurance reviews don’t happen until days or weeks after a shift, when it is difficult for staff to recall details accurately.

   As Justin discussed, the QA Assistant scans notes as they are submitted and flags potential gaps in seconds. For example, if a DSP writes that an individual twisted their ankle but doesn’t create an incident report, the tool prompts them to consider additional action. While AI doesn't replace human review, it provides a reliable first level of quality assurance that promotes better records.

3. Identifying Priorities for Quality Assurance

   Beyond giving feedback, AI can also identify documentation that needs a closer look. While QA teams don’t have time to read every entry, AI does. Justin shared that Therap AI scans roughly 100 notes per minute—a speed at which checking large amounts of data becomes possible.

   Josh described how AI acts as a “funnel” for QA teams, narrowing thousands of notes down into the 50 that need further review. He noted, “The human is still an extremely important component.” This use case isn’t about replacing the work of humans, but enabling them to focus their limited time where it is needed most, ensuring critical details aren't overlooked.

4. Condensing Data into Useful Summaries

   AI isn’t just for quality assurance; everyone can benefit from generating summaries. Whether a director wants key details to share with an individual’s family or a DSP needs to catch up on notes after a vacation, AI can give them the necessary facts to stay updated.

   “The ability to condense information and get to the important things is a really great resource we can give to staff,” Justin stated. In addition to providing helpful overviews, Therap’s AI Analyses conduct deeper analysis to highlight actionable insights, trends, and suggestions. When staff don't have to search through records and connect the dots themselves, they have more time to support individuals.

5. Offering a Growing Toolbox

   No two I/DD providers operate exactly alike, which is why AI's versatility is so valuable. Organizations can create their own “toolbox” of features and use cases that fit their needs. Here are some exciting examples Josh and Justin highlighted in their session:

   • Automating Data Collection and Health Insights: Consistent health monitoring is becoming easier, thanks to IoT devices like sleep mats and smart scales. AI can analyze the raw data they collect to give staff a clearer picture of a person’s health. This process is simplified by tools like Therap Connect, which interfaces with smart devices, sends wellness data directly into documentation, and uses AI to give clear insights on sleep, body composition, vitals, and more.
   • Detecting Subtle Health Risks: AI also assists with clinical care by spotting warning signs of health issues. Alerting staff to these signs early empowers proactive care, keeping minor issues from becoming serious health events. This is the purpose of Therap’s Fatal Five Detection, which consolidates risk indicators into one organized view for better clinical monitoring.
   • Identifying Burnout with Sentiment Analysis During the session, Josh asked the audience: “What if you could review language to identify staff who are burning out?” AI is able to perform sentiment analysis and notice patterns of fatigue or frustration in staff’s entries. When notified of signs early, leadership can step in with proactive coaching and resources.
   • Bridging Language Gaps with Translation: With AI tools trained specifically for human services, agencies can offer accurately translated records in the preferred languages of staff, individuals, and families. Therap’s AI Translation Tool creates precise and secure translations in 50+ languages. Justin emphasized that when staff can read documentation in their native language, they can provide better supports.

Why Providers Should Start Using AI Today

As Josh and Justin’s session at ANCOR Connect ‘26 made clear, AI is already making a difference for I/DD providers. From summarizing information to flagging subtle health risks, AI can empower agencies to utilize more of their data while saving time to focus on what matters most: supporting individuals.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your usage, the best way to unlock the benefits of AI is to use it actively. Justin advised, “You have to engage with AI to understand what it does in your organization.” Josh DeZurik agreed, emphasizing that “AI literacy is a skill. You have to use it. You have to practice it.” With so many practical ways AI can assist providers, now is the perfect time to learn how to harness its power.