January 2016: Adult Family Home Council Updates
The 2016 Legislative session has begun! This is a short session. There will not be big budget or policy issues established in this 60 day session. However, this is an excellent opportunity to make corrections to policy and beginning conversations about issues for the next budget cycle. Our Legislative Agenda includes:
- A budgeted line item for reduced Change of Ownership Fees (follow up from HB1132)
- Passage of House Bill 2424 to improve communication between hospitals and caregivers.
We also want to this session to begin conversations with lawmakers about the following issues. We do not anticipate these being solved in the short session, but are eager to gain support for future efforts
- Continued increases in Medicaid daily rates. While providers will receive a 5% rate increase on July 1, 2016, the rates are still below actual costs. Additionally, many required services go unfunded, such as awake staff at night, two person assists, transportation, and managing challenging behaviors.
- Improvements in the regulatory oversight process. Currently a single regulatory violation can trigger investigations by three divisions of state agencies (RCS, APS and DOH). These efforts are duplicative and disruptive to the delivery of care. We are looking to the legislature to help us define thresholds for triggering these investigation to avoid repetitive and duplicative efforts.
- Improvements in the training/hiring process for adult family homes. Initiative 1163 improved training quality and oversight, but made it increasingly challenging for AFH owners to hire staff without credentials. We need to amend the process to allow for on the job training in adult family homes and adjust when direct and indirect supervision are required. This will allow AFH owners to increase their access to potential employees and grow the long term care workforce.
2/9/16- LOBBY DAY– Make your voice heard. Attend the Adult Family Home Council’s Statewide Lobby Day in Olympia on Tuesday, February 9, 2016! We will start the morning off with an update on the legislative issues relevant to adult family homes, and get you oriented on how the day will work. Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided. Meetings with your legislators will be scheduled between 10:15a and 5:30pm. Sharing your personal story face to face with your legislators offers the greatest impact!
Please let us know ASAP if you plan to attend the 2/9/16 Adult Family Home Council Lobby Day, so that your individual meeting with your legislator can be scheduled. Call the office or email Maria Chiechi at maria@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org
