I’m just adding it to the list, an tryin’ to git votes fer it 
Yes, a current work around would be to allow the user to ask for flight following from clearance delivery or ground control (and this could be at all airports) before takeoff, or even after, but, of course, you can’t do that till it’s too late currently.
Pretty simple to implement… Check if at Class C or B, give transponder code with taxi instructions for VFR, too. Or rather, use IFR clearance delivery for VFR, but with an internal switch to have departure control tell the pilot to switch transponder to the default VFR code upon leaving the airspace.
Or… worst case, As you suggested, allow the user to request flight following from Clearance Delivery/Ground. But that seems more confusing too me.
Where do you fly out of?