In a world where over 56 million Americans are older than 65—and nearly one-third of them live alone—public safety agencies face mounting pressure to keep vulnerable residents safe without stretching already-thin resources.¹ Automated welfare checks provide an answer: technology that confirms a person’s well-being every day, flags exceptions instantly, and spares dispatchers from avoidable send-outs.
Why Traditional Welfare Checks Strain Agencies
A typical manual welfare check unfolds like this:
- A neighbor or relative can’t reach a loved one.
- They call 911 to request a “check welfare.”
- A patrol unit is dispatched, often code 1.
- Officers knock, make contact (or not), file a report, and clear the call.
The process is compassionate but costly. A 2024 analysis by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) estimates the average welfare-check call consumes 42 minutes of officer time and $62 in direct vehicle and labor costs.² Multiply that by hundreds of non-emergency requests each year and the hours add up quickly—hours that could be spent on high-priority incidents.
What Are Automated Welfare Checks?
Automated welfare checks use an outbound calling system (or SMS) to contact subscribed residents on a schedule they—and your agency—define. The resident simply presses 1 # to confirm they’re okay. If they miss a check-in, the system automatically escalates alerts to caregivers, volunteers, or on-duty personnel.
Key capabilities include:
- Daily or custom-interval check-in calls
- SMS alternative for hearing-impaired participants
- Unlimited “care group” contacts
- Instant voice, text, or email notifications when a call is missed
- Secure, CJIS-compliant cloud storage of call records
Faster Responses, Fewer Send-outs
| Metric | Manual Welfare Check | Automated Welfare Check with ConfirmOk |
|---|---|---|
| Average time to verify well-being | 30–60 min (unit travel + scene) | < 90 sec call answered |
| Agency cost per check | ≈ $62 (IACP) | Pennies per call |
| False alarms requiring field response | High | Low—only when escalation chain fails |
| Data captured for compliance | Officer narrative | Timestamped digital log |
Because the platform confirms most residents are safe without officer dispatch, sworn personnel remain available for higher-risk calls. When a resident does miss a check-in, caretakers receive the first alert, often resolving the issue before 911 is involved. If escalation reaches dispatch, location info and call history are already attached, enabling a surgical response.
A 2023 pilot in a Midwestern county reduced non-emergency welfare dispatches by 48 percent within six months, freeing more than 300 patrol hours.³
How Automation Improves Community Trust
- Predictable outreach: Residents know someone cares every day.
- Transparent data: Agencies can publish anonymized success metrics in annual reports.
- Inclusive access: Voice, TTY, and SMS channels meet ADA and age-friendly guidelines.⁴
- Collaboration: Councils on Aging, faith groups, and housing authorities can join the same platform, creating a unified safety net.
Deployment Models for Public Agencies
1. Police or Sheriff–Hosted
The department licenses ConfirmOk, promotes sign-ups, and monitors escalations on a dedicated dashboard. Ideal for rural counties where the sheriff’s office is the primary social-service touchpoint.
2. 911/PSAP Integration
ConfirmOk pushes missed-check alerts directly into CAD via email or API. Dispatchers receive a low-priority event code, complete with resident info and caretaker contacts. This model aligns with NG911 data-rich call handling.
3. Council on Aging Partnership
A municipal aging office manages enrollment; the local PD remains an escalation tier. This approach leverages social-service expertise while ensuring sworn backup when needed.
4. Non-Profit–Led Community Outreach
United Way chapters, meal-delivery services, or neighborhood associations can run the program, relieving agencies of list management while still shrinking call volume.
Implementation Checklist
- Stakeholder briefing (Chief, PSAP manager, IT, legal)
- Approve privacy language and data-sharing MOU
- Brand the welcome packet with agency logo
- Upload resident roster (CSV or secure API)
- Configure schedules (daily, weekdays, or custom)
- Assign escalation tiers: 1) family, 2) volunteer, 3) dispatch
- Test live call flow before public launch
ConfirmOk’s onboarding team handles the technical lift in as little as five business days—no new servers or on-site hardware required.
Funding Ideas
- ARPA or CARES Act allocations for senior safety technology
- State Office of Aging grants
- DOJ Community Policing Development funds
- Local civic foundations focused on aging in place
Program costs are typically far below overtime outlays for manual checks, a comparison that resonates with city councils during budget season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is automated calling reliable for residents with hearing loss? ConfirmOk offers SMS check-ins and supports TTY compatible devices so users can choose the best channel.
What happens during a power or cell outage? The platform retries calls automatically and can escalate based on last successful contact time. Agencies may choose to dispatch if multiple retries fail.
How is resident data protected? All records are encrypted in transit and at rest. ConfirmOk follows SOC 2 controls and stores data in U.S.-based, HIPAA-ready facilities.
Can we pilot the service before a full rollout? Yes. Agencies typically start with a 90-day pilot covering 50–100 residents to gather local ROI data.
Who do I contact for technical specs or grant language? Email [email protected] for documentation and sample RFP text.
Ready to Reduce Send-Outs and Respond Faster?
Join law-enforcement leaders, councils on aging, and dispatch centers nationwide who are modernizing welfare checks with ConfirmOk. Experience how automated daily check-ins slash false alarms, boost community trust, and give officers time back for critical calls.
Visit confirmok.com to start your free trial today.