WHITE PAPER · 2026

Evaluating AI in Youth Wellness: The C.A.S.E. Framework

By Clarke Heyes, PhD & Elsa Friis, PhD — Alongside's evidence-based protocol for evaluating AI wellness tools in K–12 schools across four critical dimensions: Credibility, Accessibility, Safety, and Engagement.

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The Four Pillars of C.A.S.E.

C

Credibility

Does the AI provide clinically accurate, evidence-based guidance? This pillar evaluates whether responses avoid pseudo-psychology, harmful oversimplification, and misrepresentation of mental health topics.

A

Accessibility

Is the AI accessible to all students? This pillar assesses grade-appropriate language, cultural responsiveness, and equitable access for diverse learners across 37+ languages.

S

Safety — The Absolute Gate

Safety is a non-negotiable pass/fail gate. Any AI tool that fails crisis recognition, appropriate escalation, or boundary maintenance is disqualified before any weighted scoring begins — no trade-offs permitted.

E

Engagement with Boundaries

Does the AI foster healthy coping and goal-setting while knowing when to hand off to a human? Evaluates session closure, appropriate referrals, and emotional boundary maintenance.

4+

Years Deployed

37

Languages Supported

83%

Students Sought Help

200+

Student Advisors

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C.A.S.E. Framework White Paper

Evaluating AI Safety in K–12 Youth Wellness — 2026

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