How Abby Services Strengthened Its Registry Model, Modernized Operations, and Protected Caregiver Independence with Ally

 

Meet Scott Strachan, Owner & Administrator, Abby Services (Southwest Florida)

Abby Services has served families in Southwest Florida since 1997, helping clients find caregivers who fit their needs and personalities — not just schedules. When Scott took leadership of the registry, he brought not only clinical experience as an RN, but also a deep understanding of what makes the registry model unique: choice, autonomy, and trust.

Like many registries, Abby Services had grown up through several eras of technology — from binders, office maps, and phone trees, to locally-hosted scheduling systems, and finally to web-based software. Each transition helped a little, but Scott still found himself bumping up against the same problem:

Most home care software is built for agencies, not registries. And that difference matters.

The Challenge: Maintaining True Independent Contractor Relationships While Operating Efficiently

Before Ally, Abby Services relied on a mix of manual workflows and systems that didn’t reflect registry operations. The escrow + weekly check pickup model worked but required the registry to touch the flow of funds between clients and caregivers. Over time, Scott became increasingly aware that payment handling is one of the most scrutinized aspects of registry compliance.

At the same time, the software platforms available then used employee-first language, such as “hire,” “assign,” or “schedule,” which didn’t align with independent contractor relationships. Even small terminology mismatches can send the wrong signal in audits.

“There’s no single factor that proves independence. You build a wall of defense. Payment separation is one brick. Language is another. Documentation is another. I needed a system that supported that wall — not worked against it.” 

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The Solution: A Registry-First Platform & Third-Party Payment Model

Scott chose Ally because it aligns with how registries are meant to operate, instead of forcing them into an agency workflow.

With Ally:

• Clients pay caregivers directly, through a third-party payer model
• The registry is removed from the payment flow, reducing perceived financial control
• Caregivers manage their own documentation and business details, reinforcing autonomy
• Case opportunities are transparently available to all caregivers, supporting non-preferential matching
• Operations can run fully remote, whether from the office, home, or anywhere else

“I believed in the registry model. Ally believed in the registry model. And that matters.”

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The Results: A Cleaner Compliance Posture, Smoother Operations & True Independence Preserved

Since moving to Ally, Abby Services has strengthened both the practical and structural foundations of the business:

• Clients and caregivers work directly with each other, supported — not controlled — by the registry
• The business no longer manages or distributes caregiver pay, reducing financial risk
• Caregivers no longer need to visit the office for checks, eliminating stress during COVID and saving time weekly
• Transparent access to case opportunities supports a defensible IC model
• Ally’s caregiver support team helps caregivers with their own admin needs, reinforcing that they are in business for themselves

“It’s not about making things easier — it’s about doing things right. Ally supports the way a registry is supposed to run.”

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Why Scott Recommends Ally

“The third-party payer model is another brick in the wall of defense. I believed in it then, and I believe in it now. It protects the registry model, and it protects the people we serve.”