AFH COUNCIL SPRING CONFERENCES WERE A SUCCESS

We are overjoyed to celebrate the tremendous success of the 2023 AFH Council Spring Conferences, and it is all thanks to each and every one of you! The remarkable turnouts at each location stand as a true testament to the unwavering dedication and commitment of Adult Family Home providers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to […]

Launch of CareLearn Retention Toolkit

DSHS is offering a Retention Toolkit through the CareLearn training system. This new toolkit helps supervisors and managers of direct care staff address retention issues, reduce high turnover rates, and continue providing quality care.  The toolkit includes online courses and other resources covering various topics related to leadership, management, and retention. Modules that will launch are […]

DSHS to Pay Out Over $1 Million to AFHs in Settlement Agreement

In November of 2022, the Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) complaint against the state of Washington.  The complaint was regarding the state’s failure to inform the AFHC of payments being made to AFH providers authorized by managed care organizations (MCO). Under RCW 41.56 the state is obligated to negotiate all rates paid […]

State Civil Penalty Reinvestment Program Application Period Opens June 1

A Dear Provider Letter dated May 12, 2023 indicates that the department will be accepting applications for grants from the State Civil Penalty Reinvestment Program (SCPRP) between June 1 and July 31. The SCPRP allows funds collected as civil penalties to be reinvested into activities that improve quality of life and quality of care for residents […]

House Bill 1265 Passed-Allows for Property Tax Exemption for Certain Nonprofit AFHs

The Washington State Legislature passed HB 1265 in the 2023 legislative session. This bill modifies the property tax exemption for adult family homes that serve people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and are owned by a nonprofit organization, corporation, or association. The passed legislation allows the exemption to be claimed whether the services are provided by the nonprofit […]

A Letter from our Executive Director (5/5/23)

To the Adult Family Homes of Washington,  As many of you know, the formal public health emergency will formally end on May 11, 2023.  Masking mandates ended in April, visitation restrictions are all lifted, and COVID-19 has a reduced presence in our communities. Thank goodness.  While the pandemic may be over, there are still some […]

Upcoming Summer AFH Administrator Training Courses

June 30 – July 22 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Friday – Saturday Online $699 July 12 – August 3 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Wednesday – Thursday Federal Way Hub $699 July 28 – August 19 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Friday – Saturday Online $699 August 23 – September 14 9:00 am – […]

2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION OVERVIEW

Dear Providers, First and foremost, we want to thank you all for your active engagement this legislative session. It has been amazing to see you all advocate for yourselves whether signing in pro/con, attending lobby day, emailing your lawmakers, and/or testifying on issues that matter to you. I look forward to working with all of […]

Sample Infection Prevention & Control Policy

DOH updated the infection prevention and control guidance following the end of the Secretary of Health’s masking requirement in long-term care facilities. The AFH Council has created a sample Infection Prevention and Control Policy that aligns with the new DOH guidelines. In addition to the sample policy, we have created Masking and Covid Vaccination policies […]

Amended Dear Provider Letter-Food Handler Requirements for AFHs

On April 6, 2023, RCS published a Dear Provider Letter (DPL) regarding food handler continuing education requirements in adult family homes. The letter stated that ALL long-term care workers are required to take .5 hours of food safety training annually. We believed this to be in error. The AFH Council immediately reached out to RCS […]

RCS-AFH Provider Forums-Mark Your Calendars

The RCS-AFH Provider Forums were created to offer the opportunity to network, facilitate the exchange of information, identify and explore issues, and build and strengthen relationships. The Department will present information on various issues and wants to hear from the providers which topics are important to you. Feel free to reach out to the contact below to contribute […]