South Carolina Assisted Living Association

Who We Are

our Mission Statement

The South Carolina Assisted Living Association’s mission is to lead the development in high-quality assisted living and senior care services by providing quality representation and services to consumers, member providers, and vendor partners via education, public awareness, and legislation.

The South Carolina Assisted Living Association (SCALA) is a not-for-profit organization representing over 150 assisted living and residential care facilities serving about 10,000 individuals statewide. SCALA represents assisted living, residential care facilities, home care, home health and hospice groups throughout the state. In addition, over 50 companies providing goods and services to member facilities are vendor member partners.

SCALA logo

our Vision

The South Carolina Assisted Living Association is dedicated to promoting our members and supporting their quest to provide high quality and compassionate care to the residents and families they serve. SCALA focuses on being recognized as a resource leader for Assisted Living providers, residents, legislators, the public and other related provider organizations in South Carolina. This shall be demonstrated by providing the highest degree of compassion, respect, integrity, innovation, professionalism, and accountability.

The South Carolina Assisted Living Association will continue to lead the development in all areas of residential care and services through providing quality representation and services to consumers & member providers via education, public awareness, vendor participation and legislation.

Originally formed in 1967 as the South Carolina Association of Homes for the Aging, the Association has grown dramatically during the past 47 years. The Association changed its name to the South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes in 1974 and became incorporated as a 501c6 organization in 1994.

SCALA is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors representing the state on a regional basis. The Association’s staff includes a full time executive director and a contract lobbyist and consulting group. Melody Bailey serves as the Executive Director, having served the association since 2001. Rita Lark with Restoration Senior Living, is the current President and Kerr and Company Consulting is the contracted lobbyist and consulting firm. SCALA’s member benefits include a quarterly printed newsletter, weekly email news updates, discounted training programs, group purchasing programs, legislative and regulatory advocacy, consultation services and networking opportunities.

The facilities in South Carolina are among the highest quality providers in the country. The diversity of assisted living/residential care is reflected in our membership. We have facility members ranging in size from 5 beds to 174 beds, along with a number providing specialized care for memory impairment. Our facility members strive to maintain an environment that is homelike and meets the needs of the residents served. We provide members with legislative and regulatory representation before the South Carolina General Assembly and other state regulatory agencies. We also provide our members with training programs to meet continuing education requirements required for licensing and for professional development. Our commitment is to continually better our communities and their staff through education, association support and networking opportunities.

Name Change

SCALA logo

The Association changed it’s name to South Carolina Assisted Living Association (SCALA)

2018

New Executive Director

Melody Bailey begins serving as the Executive Director

2003

501c6

Become incorporated as a 501c6 organization

1994

Name Change

SCARCH old logo

The Association changed it’s name to South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes (SCARCH)

1974

Formed

South Carolina Association Homes for the Aging was originally formed

1974

Ready to join the SCALA Family?

Welcome!

We’re excited to introduce our new website. If you’re already a member and need to re-register, please follow the link below to get started.