AI Summer Camp: Caseworkers
GenAI can accelerate case research by summarizing federal agency procedures, generating initial response templates, and tracking case resolution patterns. AI has the ability to transform complex bureaucratic processes into clear action plans that help you and the constituents you’re supporting navigate federal services more effectively.
Get started with five “quests” designed to support policymakers and their teams in getting to know and understanding this technology in an approachable way:
Safety First: Like any good adventure, using AI involves well-marked paths to follow—and a few areas best avoided. Stay safe and be responsible by keeping these AI safety tips in mind.
Bring a Buddy: See tips and sample prompts for every member of your team, including Staff Assistants, Legislative Staff, Communications Staff, Schedulers, Legislative Directors, Field Representatives & Community Outreach Directors, Chiefs of Staff & District Directors, and even the Member!
Quest 1: Summarization
Ranger Tip
AI summarization can help you quickly understand complex agency programs and rules by extracting key details from lengthy government documents and complicated websites, allowing you to provide faster, more effective assistance.
Quest Directive
Use an institution-approved LLM to:
Analyze constituent cases - Summarize anonymized constituent correspondence, notes, and agency responses to identify key issues, timeline of events, and next steps needed
Identify potential legislative impacts - Analyze how proposed legislation or regulatory changes might affect constituents based on case patterns and feedback received
Sample Prompts
“Summarize this spreadsheet of anonymized constituent casework involving VA benefits. Include: average time to resolution, a summary of common problems, and any other observations and trends from this area of casework. End with 2-3 suggestions of ways our team could strengthen our casework in this area.”
Tip: you can work with your CRM vendor to generate a report with identifying information (name, address, contact information) removed.“Analyze this VA-related bill for its potential to generate additional casework demand for our team. Create a clear memo summarizing the bill’s impact and anticipating implementation problems that may encourage veterans to seek help from our office.”
Letters from camp: Have a particularly good (or wild) experience with this quest? Tell us all about it!
Quest 2: Brainstorming
Ranger Tip
AI can help you develop creative approaches to solving constituent problems and generate new strategies for navigating bureaucratic challenges that traditional methods haven't resolved. This innovative thinking can lead to breakthrough solutions for difficult cases while helping you build a toolkit of alternative approaches for future similar situations.
Quest Directive
Use an institution-approved LLM to:
Improve service - Brainstorm ways to enhance constituent services, streamline case management, or improve caseworker training
Plan proactive casework education - Brainstorm public service messaging to help constituents understand and address common problems with federal agencies before they become casework
Sample Prompts
“Generate 8 proactive service ideas to help constituents avoid common Social Security problems. Focus on: education initiatives, early intervention strategies, community partnerships, and prevention programs that could reduce emergency cases.”
“I have a brand-new VA caseworker starting with our office next week. Suggest a comprehensive training plan to help her get up to speed. The plan should include reference materials she can read on common VA programs and the VA as a whole; as well as a phased plan where she will be mentored by other members of our casework team and gradually take on more independent work.”
Letters from camp: Have a particularly good (or wild) experience with this quest? Tell us all about it!
Quest 3: Content Creation
Ranger Tip
AI can help you create clearer, more effective communications with constituents and agencies while developing educational materials that prevent common problems before they occur. This enhanced communication capability means better outcomes for constituents and more efficient use of your time on complex cases.
Quest Directive
Use an institution-approved LLM to:
Create initial drafts of communications - Draft letters to agencies, explanatory materials for constituents, or case documentation that clearly communicates problems and desired outcomes
Create educational content - Create guides, fact sheets, or informational materials that help constituents navigate common federal agency processes or avoid frequent problems
Sample Prompts
“Draft a formal letter to the VA on behalf of a veteran constituent whose Compensation and Pension decision has been delayed 8 months. Include: clear timeline of events, specific relief requested, relevant regulations cited, and professional but firm tone requesting that his case be given full and fair consideration. [Attached anonymous case notes].”
“Create a simple guide for constituents applying for VA Aid and Attendance benefits that can be shared by our local Veterans Service Officers. Include: 5 key steps in the process, required documentation checklist, common mistakes to avoid, and when to contact our office for help. Use plain language, under 400 words.”
Letters from camp: Have a particularly good (or wild) experience with this quest? Tell us all about it!
Quest 4: Strategizing
Ranger Tip
AI can help you develop strategic approaches to both solving complex constituent problems through systematic advocacy and advancing your own career by building expertise in federal agency navigation and constituent services management. This strategic perspective helps you see patterns across cases while developing the specialized knowledge that makes caseworkers valuable in various government and advocacy roles.
Quest Directive
Use an institution-approved LLM to:
Formalize case resolution strategies - Develop comprehensive strategies for tackling difficult constituent cases, including multi-agency coordination, escalation pathways, and advocacy approaches
Explore a professional specialization strategy - Create plans for developing expertise in specific agencies or issue areas while building relationships that could lead to career advancement opportunities
Sample Prompts
“We have 15 veterans' cases stuck in VA appeals with similar issues [describe issues]. Develop a strategic approach to resolve these systematically rather than individually. Include: pattern analysis, research into root causes, coordinated advocacy strategy, relationships to leverage, documentation approach, potential legislative and oversight directions, and escalation timeline to maximize impact.”
“I want to specialize in Social Security and disability cases to become our office's expert and potentially move to SSA or disability advocacy. Create a strategic development plan including: training opportunities, relationship building with key SSA personnel, case documentation for expertise demonstration, and transition timeline.”
Letters from camp: Have a particularly good (or wild) experience with this quest? Tell us all about it!
Quest 5: Predicting the Future
Ranger Tip
AI systems are emerging that could navigate complex bureaucracies automatically, track cases across multiple agencies simultaneously, and identify systemic issues by analyzing patterns across thousands of constituent problems. You're positioned to witness and shape how technology transforms the fundamental relationship between citizens and their government.
Quest Directive
Use an institution-approved LLM to:
Explore automated case resolution - Experiment with AI's ability to navigate complex bureaucratic processes and imagine how constituent services might evolve as AI systems become more sophisticated
Investigate systemic problem detection - Use an AI tool to analyze patterns that might reveal how future AI could identify and address systemic government service issues before they affect large numbers of constituents
Sample Prompts
“Imagine AI-augmented casework systems in 2030 that can automatically navigate federal agencies, track cases across departments, and escalate issues appropriately. Describe how a complex case involving VA benefits, Social Security, and Medicare coordination might be handled with an AI tool managing inter-agency communication while keeping the caseworker more flexible to spend time with constituents and prioritize cases that require human judgement.”
“Envision an AI tool that analyzes patterns across millions of constituent cases nationwide to identify emerging systemic problems. How might this transform how Congress identifies needed reforms? Walk me through how such an AI tool might detect a new bureaucratic problem affecting thousands of people before it becomes a crisis.”
Letters from camp: Have a particularly good (or wild) experience with this quest? Tell us all about it!
Letters from Camp
Have a particularly good (or wild) experience with this quest? Tell us all about it!
