Creating an Encouraging Community for the Differently Abled

Who We Are

We believe in a unique and customized approach for every client.

Formed in 1980, HALA is a nonprofit organization with the initial goal of assisting adults who have developmental disabilities by building their independent living skills and encouraging their integration into the greater community.

Over time, HALA’s scope and mission have grown but our heart has stayed the same. Today, we offer a wide range of services to support people who have cognitive disabilities throughout the Grays Harbor area.

Our Services

The first supportive living services that we offered were called Tenant Support and Alternative Living. Through the years, the names may have changed, but the core of what we do remains the same: assisting our clients’ inclusion in their own community while nurturing their independence.

Our clients pay their own personal expenses such as rent, utilities, food and other personal items just like anyone else.  HALA provides the vital staff supports that allow our clients to thrive in a Supported Living environment model where 2-4 people can live together as roommates while some people may live alone due to their service needs.

Our clients receive behavioral support, social and health support and health services including planning and support for proper nutrition and exercise.  Our staff provides health services supports with 100’s of health appointments each year.  All of our Direct Support Professionals are trained in medication administration.

Our clients are supported to be as independent as as possible with their finances and receive assistance from HALA staff as their services plans indicate.  All of the services we provide are guided by person-centered goal setting involving the client, their guardian and staff.

For more information on the services we are now offering, please check out Our Services page.

Support Living Services

For enrolled clients, HALA’s support includes:

  • Access to Health Care
  • Basic Cognitive Skills
  • Counseling
  • Food and Nutrition
  • Home Health Care
  • Home Management
  • Money Management
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Relationships
  • Safety Skills
  • Self-Advocacy
  • Assistance With Shopping

We customize the scope of these services to meet our client’s individual needs. The intensity depends on the abilities of each person.

Mission Statement

At Harbor Alternate Living Association, our mission is to provide a bridge for people with disabilities to move from seclusion to inclusion--from need to competence. Barriers, which impede the progress of children and adults, will be decreased by encouraging the community to be comfortable with human differences.

We strive to accomplish this mission by treating clients with dignity and respect, with full consideration of their individual, civil, and human rights, recognizing our staff members’ abilities, enhancing their growth and professional skills, cooperating with other organizations and individuals that share our goals, and developing various sources of support to remain financially stable.