What We Do Wayne Smallwood AALC Executive Director The Affordable Assisted Living Coalition (AALC) is a  501(c)(6) not-for-profit membership organization made up of individuals and entities that develop and/or operate affordable assisted living projects (Supportive Living Facilities or SLF's)  and their business partners that have an interest or involvement in  Illinois' Supportive Living Program (SLP). The Coalition's Executive Director, Wayne Smallwood, has  over 30 years of experience with Illinois' government in the Department of Healthcare & Family Services, formerly known  as the Department of Public Aid).  He is a recognized authority  on the Supportive Living Program.    Our major activities (and membership benefits) include:  Advocacy & Lobbying The Coalition closely follows legislative and regulatory issues that hold potential impact for supported living providers.  Through electronic alerts, presentations and educational seminars, we ensure that members are aware of and have appropriate input into such issues. When necessary, the Coalition proposes legislation and regulatory changes aimed at both improving opportunities for providers as well as maximizing the standard of care for service consumers.    Training & Education   AALC members receive access to ongoing training and educational programs relating directly to affordable assisted living projects.    Subject matter includes, but is not limited to:   §         Financing and real estate development; §         Marketing strategies and techniques; §         Management; §        State review process, including some joint training with State staff responsible for conducting these reviews; §         Service provision; §         Quality assurance/continuous quality improvement; §         Best practices and new trends pertaining to supportive and assisted living;   Additionally, AALC suppotive living facility members automatically receive full membership benefits from Life Services Network (LSN), including access to LSN's exclusive staff training and education programs.     Access to Financing   Members have access to AALC’s strong expertise and experience in the financing of supportive living projects, from conventional bank financing to private investor participation to the full spectrum of local, state, and federal programs.   The latter include state and federal tax credits to help generate project equity, tax exempt bond financing, and varied programs that guarantee development loans.   Government Relations   The Coalition specializes in government relations and maintains close working ties with government agencies that are critical to the effectiveness of supportive living projects, including:  Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS); Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA); Department of Human Services; Department on Aging; Department of Public Health; Illinois Finance Authority; The Coalition also maintains administrative ties with many local governments and can offer assistance to members at this level as well.     Public Relations & Promotion   AALC promotes the overall success of the supportive living model.  Members can call on our resources for assistance with public presentations, development of press releases and informing legislators and State agencies about the Supportive Living Program and project progress.