Every new beginning starts with a moment of connection.
Sometimes it’s a quick conversation at a community event. Sometimes it’s a call from a service coordinator who says, “I think I found something that might work.” And sometimes it’s a quiet message through our website, sent late at night by a family just trying to find the right next step.
However it starts, our goal is always the same: help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities find a home that feels like home—with people who feel like theirs.
So what happens after that first hello? Here’s what the family onboarding process looks like at Alora.
Step 1: The First Hello
Our first point of contact might come in a few different forms. Maybe you met someone from our team at an event. Maybe you heard about us through a friend, or maybe your service coordinator lets you know we have an opening that could be a good fit.
No matter how you find us, we take the time to listen first. What are you looking for? What’s working—and what’s not? Who is this person you’re advocating for, and what kind of life do they want to build?
Step 2: The Admissions Interview
Once a family expresses interest, we schedule a thoughtful admissions interview. This isn’t a questionnaire or checklist. It’s a conversation.
We want to understand the individual’s preferences, needs, hopes, routines, comforts, and goals. We ask about how they like to spend their time, what makes them feel safe, and what kind of environment feels most like home.
It’s not just about care—it’s about fit. And that only comes from getting to know someone as a whole person.
Step 3: Finding the Right Match
After the interview, our team sits down and does the quiet work of match-building.
We go through our network of Shared Living Providers and think deeply about who might align with the person’s preferences. Maybe it’s someone who also loves animals or quiet mornings. Maybe it’s a home with a big backyard, or one near a bus stop so someone can keep getting to their job.
We narrow it down to a few potential matches and share those profiles with the individual and their family. It’s collaborative, not prescriptive. We want families to feel empowered and informed every step of the way.
