About SLO Caregivers:

San Luis Obispo Caregivers (SLO Caregivers) was founded seven years ago in California by David Wood, a former banker seeking a more fulfilling career. The agency specializes in matching caregivers with seniors across San Luis Obispo County. In addition to their core in-home care services, they assist clients with placement in assisted living facilities, offering a well-rounded suite of services to meet diverse needs.

Challenges Faced by SLO Caregivers

Compliance

Operating as a caregiver registry in California demands rigorous attention to compliance. Every process must adhere to independent contractor regulations, ensuring a clear delineation between the business and the 1099 caregivers.

“We needed a system that could adequately support our unique registry model while allowing us to independently strengthen our separation from caregivers and enhance our compliance profile. For instance, we previously relied on separate systems for payroll and scheduling,” shared Susan, Office Administrator at SLO Caregivers.

Secure Communication

Balancing open communication lines with caregivers while maintaining compliance posed another significant challenge. The registry required a secure, efficient way for caregivers to communicate directly with clients without administrative intervention.

The Solution: A System Built with Registries in Mind

After evaluating their needs, SLO Caregivers partnered with Ally to integrate a system that prioritized both compliance and operational efficiency.

Seamless Compliance Management

“Ally provided a clear separation between our business and the caregivers we refer out. This firm boundary is essential for maintaining compliance and gives us peace of mind,” said Susan.

The system empowers caregivers to manage their own schedules and set their own rates, reinforcing their 1099 status while ensuring accountability.

Secure and Transparent Communication

The built-in messaging features in Ally allowed the team to securely share open shifts and updates with caregivers.

“These features document everything properly, promoting transparency while reducing our liability and administrative burden,” Susan added.

The streamlined communication system ensures everyone is informed without compromising compliance.

Enhanced Efficiency

Ally’s time-tracking feature has revolutionized operations at SLO Caregivers. “Caregivers track their shifts directly on their phones, and the data flows seamlessly to us. This has simplified our payroll process, saving time and reducing overhead,” Susan explained. “Now, we can focus more on supporting our clients and caregivers instead of spending excessive time on administrative tasks.”

Results and Recommendations

Susan is enthusiastic about the results achieved with Ally and recommends it to other caregiver registries:

“Ally helps us maintain the necessary separation between our business and the caregivers we refer. Its automation of time-tracking and payments has been a game-changer, saving us valuable time on payroll day and allowing us to concentrate on client care. The efficiency gains have made compliance less of a headache and enhanced our overall operations,” Susan shared.

She also highlighted Ally’s cost-effective approach: “The costs are passed along to our clients, so these benefits come at no additional expense to our business. Ally’s support helps us defend and sustain the 1099 care model.”

Final Thoughts

SLO Caregivers’ partnership with Ally underscores the value of leveraging technology to blend compliance with efficiency. By streamlining operations and safeguarding their registry model, they’ve set a strong foundation for continued growth and success.