As the exclusive bargaining representative of adult family home providers, the Adult Family Home Council engages in contract negotiations with the state every two years to fight for issues related to (i) economic compensation, such as manner and rate of subsidy and reimbursement, including tiered reimbursements; (ii) health and welfare benefits; (iii) professional development and training; (iv) labor-management committees; (v) grievance procedures; and (vi) other economic matters. This process is known as collective bargaining. Last summer the Adult Family Home Council negotiated a new collective bargaining contract with the department of social and health services (DSHS) and the office of financial management (OFM) that resulted in an interest arbitration award that increased adult family homes spending by the largest single dollar amount ever awarded to AFHs in Washington State. Bargaining for the 2023-2025 biennium resulted in a negotiated contract agreement that included:

• $339 million spending increase for AFHs
• Average base daily rate increase of 29%
• 66% increase to Expanded Community Services
• 8% increase to Specialized Behavior Support
• 56% increase to HIV/AIDS contracts
• 115% increase to Community Integration
• 33% increase to Meaningful Day
• Updated county designation. The new contract will
  now have two county categories instead of three.
• Increased contribution to the Adult Family Home Training Network 

The AFH Council is continuing to work for better compensation of residents requiring awake staff at night, two person assist, and exhibit mood and behavior that cause increased time to provide assistance with activities of daily living.  Click here to view the current collective bargaining agreement.