Michigan Assisted Living Association (MALA) is a leading resource for training, education, and development for providers of residential care, assisted living, and community-based services across Michigan.
MALA supports the initial and ongoing educational needs of direct care staff, supervisors, wellness teams, licensing administrators, department leaders, licensees, and executive leaders. Serving providers who care for older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and physical disabilities, our training and education programs are designed to strengthen regulatory compliance, advance best practices, promote growth, leadership, and overall excellence.
Annual Conference and Dementia Summit
MALA’s Annual Conference and Dementia Summit brings together providers and partners across Michigan’s residential, assisted living, and community-based care sectors, convening direct care workers, supervisors, licensing administrators, licensees, organizational leaders, advocates, individuals with lived experience, and subject matter experts for a focused, high-impact training, education, and networking experience. Participants gain practical knowledge, current insights, and actionable strategies they can immediately apply in their settings, strengthening day-to-day operations, supporting regulatory compliance, and advancing best practice throughout Michigan. Both in-person and virtual registration opportunities are available!
Webinars
MALA’s monthly webinar series and emerging topic webinars provide convenient, live virtual learning that keeps members informed, connected, and ahead of evolving trends. Sessions cover timely issues such as the Earned Sick Time Act, licensing rule updates, compliance, workforce development, and leadership, and are led by experienced professionals offering practical, real-world insight. Participants leave with actionable tools and strategies they can immediately apply, helping providers stay current, confident, and prepared in a changing regulatory environment.
Licensing, Onboarding, and Compliance Training
MALA’s Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged licensing trainings support both new and experienced staff in building a strong foundation in regulatory requirements, resident rights, health and safety standards, and service practices. These practical, association-led training courses help providers strengthen workforce readiness and promote consistent and compliant practices across residential and assisted living settings.
Learning Anytime Suite
MALA’s Learning Anytime Suite provides flexible, on-demand educational opportunities at no cost to learners, supporting professional development at an individual pace. The programs offer training in first-line supervisor development, dementia care, leadership practices, communication strategies, and person-centered support approaches. Grounded in a philosophy of care, these resources promote healthy, positive, and supportive relationships across service environments.
Supervisor Training Series
MALA’s First-Line Supervisor Training is designed to help aspiring first-line supervisors, newly promoted, or current supervisors in residential or assisted living settings develop the core skills needed to effectively lead direct care staff.
At its core, the training focuses on preparing first-line supervisors who often have little formal management experience and may be transitioning from “doing the work” to leading others who do the work. The goal is to strengthen day-to-day leadership so care environments are safer, more consistent, and better supported.
Dementia Education Trainings
Developed in partnership with the National Council of Dementia Minds, these trainings feature lived experience voices and practical education focused on better understanding and supporting persons living with dementia through relationship-based, person-centered approaches.