Who is SCARCH?

The South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes is a not-for-profit organization representing over 320 assisted living and residential care facilities serving more than 12,000 individuals statewide. The persons receiving services are persons with developmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, physical disabilities or elderly persons. In addition, over 75 companies providing goods and services to member facilities are vendor member partners.

Originally formed in 1967 as the South Carolina Association of Homes for the Aging, the Association has grown dramatically during the past 34 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.

SCARCH 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, a part time administrative assistant, a part time clerical assistant and a contract lobbyist. SCARCH's member benefits include a bi-monthly newsletter, special fax broadcasts, discounted training programs, group purchasing programs, legislative and regulatory advocacy, legal consultation and tax/accounting information.

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 185 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 provide our members with training programs to meet continuing education requirements and for professional development. We provide members with Policy and Procedure Updates as well Disaster Planning.