Tallahassee Kearney Center founder developing mobile app ‘Casey Cha’ for underserved communities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The founder of the Kearney Center says he is working with his son to literally bring social services to people’s fingertips.

Rick Kearney announced Monday that he is developing a mobile app designed to connect those in need with support services. It’s another step toward helping people without housing for the philanthropist and entrepreneur, who notably founded a nonprofit shelter and emergency services center in Tallahassee.

The app will be called Casey Chat, Kearney said, and it will use artificial intelligence developed by his son Scott Kearney, who has a background in technology.

“Think of it as the Amazon for social services,” Rick Kearney said. “I think this is going to be a game changer for an audience that has been underserved, overlooked and under-cared-for.”

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Casey Chat will use “advanced natural language processing” and “a user-friendly interface” to provide users with “personalized care plans and proactive follow-ups” that are tailored toward their specific needs and challenges, according to a press release from Scott Kearney.

The goal is to provide “a compassionate and effective digital lifeline“ to people without housing or those facing housing insecurity. Rick Kearney said while planning the app, he had in mind young adults exiting the foster system, formerly incarcerated people and low-income families.

“Casey Chat acts as a digital concierge and a ‘friendly neighbor in your pocket,’ offering instant access to essential services such as food, shelter, healthcare, and mental health support,” a press release said.

The app will live under the umbrella of EnableYou, which Executive Director Scott Kearney defines as “a non-profit organization leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to connect underserved communities with essential services.”

Before launching, Rick Kearney said Casey Chat will go through a clinical study facilitated by experts at Florida State University.

FSU College of Medicine professor, Heather Flynn said in a statement that this is a much-needed platform and she is eager about the partnership between the local entrepreneurs and the university.

The study is still in its planning stages, according to the nonprofit founder, but is scheduled to start in February.

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