Expert systems for human service programs

Although computer programs called "expert systems" do not necessarily emulate the heuristics and logic used by human experts, they can consistently produce useful, better-than-average recommendations. Backward and forward reasoning chains have applicability to human service problems in social work, education, and vocational rehabilitation. There is increasing evidence that useful expert systems that do not require exotic languages and machines will soon begin inroads toward their staggering potential for "helping people" in human services make better decisions in matters of eligibility determination, casework quality control, written service plans for clients or students, job placement, service acquisition, policy interpretation, and other concerns.