ACL Caregiver AI Challenge — Track 2
CareMatch
Cooperative AI Workforce Platform
The direct support professional workforce faces 40-50% annual turnover, with 77% of providers turning away referrals due to staffing shortages. CareMatch is the first cooperative-owned AI platform where caregiving agencies share a workforce pool, care recipients have a voice in who serves them, and AI optimizes for relationship quality — not just fill rate.
Built for I/DD services. Designed by and for the workforce.
40+
I/DD-Specific Skills
5
Documentation Templates
5
Specialization Tracks
5
Languages Supported
5 Integrated Modules
Each component exists in isolation elsewhere — the combination is unprecedented
CarePool
Cooperative workforce marketplace where member agencies share caregiver availability across a unified pool. Real-time capacity dashboards, skill coverage heatmaps, and transparent pricing.
MatchAI
Relationship-centered AI matching that goes beyond schedule fit. Care recipients shape who serves them through detailed preference profiles. Every match includes an explainable rationale.
VoiceLog
Talk-to-document system that eliminates 5+ hours/week of caregiver paperwork. Voice recordings become structured I/DD documentation through AI — ISP tracking, behavior data, incident reports.
GrowPath
AI-adaptive training with visible career pathways. Complete a certification and immediately unlock new matching eligibility. Pre-shift micro-lessons prepare caregivers for specific recipients.
PulseCheck
Relationship and retention intelligence. 30-second post-shift check-ins build relationship health scores. Early warning system detects declining relationships and burnout risk before crisis.
The Problem We Solve
40-50%
Annual DSP Turnover
Direct Support Professionals leave at crisis rates. The median wage is $15.43/hr with limited career pathways.
77%
Providers Turning Away Referrals
Agencies can't find enough staff. When one has excess capacity and another has gaps, there's no mechanism to share.
5+ hrs
Weekly Paperwork Burden
56% of DSPs say documentation is their biggest non-pay complaint. Existing voice tools aren't designed for I/DD.
Design Principles
Aligned with ACL's 10/10 Principle framework for responsible AI in caregiving
Privacy-First
Self-hosted, encrypted, HIPAA-aligned. No third-party analytics.
Human-in-the-Loop
AI suggests, humans decide. Override buttons everywhere.
Caregiver Well-being
Reduces paperwork, shows career paths, detects burnout.
Accessible
WCAG 2.1 AA, mobile-first, voice-first, 5 languages.
Transparent AI
Every match explains its reasoning. Every score is decomposable.
Cooperative-Owned
Technology serves workers, not replaces them.
Prize Eligibility
Track 2 — Base
$100K
AI Tools for Extending the Caregiver Workforce. Cooperative model + 5 integrated AI modules.
I/DD Support Prize
$50K
40+ I/DD skill taxonomy, ISP-integrated documentation, behavioral support, person-centered profiles.
Assistive Technology Prize
$50K
AT device proficiency matching, AT-specific training paths, care recipient AT inventory tracking.