Final Push to Protect AFH Funding!
Take Action by Sunday, April 27
Now is the time to raise your voice. The legislative session is set to end this Sunday, April 27. Critical decisions are being made in Olympia that will directly impact the future of adult family homes—and the residents you care for every day.
The Legislature is currently considering:
- Eliminating Meaningful Day Services for new residents. Starting July 1, 2025, the state will no longer authorize new enrollments in Meaningful Day Services, cutting off access to vital programs for residents in adult family homes. As a compromise, we are urging the Legislature to implement a waiting list and commit to reinstating services when the budget allows.
- Raising annual licensing fees to unsustainable levels. The House budget proposes increasing licensing fees to $502, while the Senate proposes $450—both of which would impose significant new financial strain on providers already operating on razor-thin margins. We are asking legislators to either maintain the fee at $225 for all providers or cap any increase at no more than $325.
- Diverting funds from the Civil Penalty Account. Instead of preserving this fund for resident-centered improvements, the Legislature is considering expanding its use for administrative overhead, enforcement activities, and other unrelated departmental expenses. We are urging lawmakers to preserve the Civil Penalty Account for its original purpose: supporting resident quality of life.
If adopted, these proposals would be devastating for adult family homes across Washington State—threatening services, financial stability, and the well-being of residents.
Please contact your legislators today and urge them to:
- Protect future access to Meaningful Day Services
- Keep licensing fees affordable for all providers
- Safeguard the Civil Penalty Account for residents
Your voice matters. The future of our homes—and the future of those we serve—depends on it.
Let’s keep this momentum going!
Step 1: Find Your Legislator
- Find your legislator using the district finder.
- Everyone has 3 Representatives (2 House of Representative Members and 1 Senator).
- When you enter your address, you will see results like the image below:
Step 2: Find Your Legislator's Email
- Click on each legislator’s name to access their information page, then click the yellow “email” button.
- OR you can type their email addresses manually. Each legislator has the same email address format: their first name and last name, followed by @leg.wa.gov
- Format: firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov
- Example: beth.doglio@leg.wa.org
- OR you can find a list of legislators and their emails at our spreadsheet here.
Step 3: Email Your Legislator
- Personalize the email template below and send it to each of your legislators.
- You’ll need to add your legislative district to the email. Locate your legislative district at this link if you need to find it or want to double check!
Email Template:
Good Day,
My name is ( ), I live in District ( ), I am a (owner, caregiver, family member). I’m writing to express my deep concern about several budget decisions currently under consideration that will directly affect the stability of adult family homes and the quality of care we are able to provide to our residents.
Specifically, I am urging you to:
- Protect access to Meaningful Day Services:
Starting July 1, 2025, both the House and Senate budgets propose to stop authorizing these critical services for new residents. Meaningful Day Services provide far more than recreational activities—they are a lifeline for our residents, offering skill-building, social engagement, and a vital connection to their community. Ending access for future residents creates a permanent inequity and risks isolating vulnerable individuals simply because they live in an adult family home. I respectfully ask you to support a temporary waiting list and revisit funding for this program when the state’s budget allows. - Keep licensing fees affordable:
The House proposes increasing the adult family home licensing bed fee to $502 and the Senate to $450—a dramatic jump from the current $225. For small providers like myself, this level of increase is simply unsustainable. We are already absorbing the rising costs of food, staffing, insurance, and compliance requirements. Adding a significant licensing fee increase on top of these existing pressures could force many providers out of business, reducing the availability of community-based care options for vulnerable seniors and individuals with disabilities. I respectfully urge you to support maintaining the fee at $225 or capping any increase at no more than $325 to ensure that adult family homes remain a viable part of Washington’s long-term care system. - Preserve the Civil Penalty Account for resident-centered improvements:
The Civil Penalty Account was created to fund projects that enhance the quality of life for residents—not to cover administrative overhead, enforcement activities, or unrelated departmental expenses. Diverting these funds away from their intended purpose would directly harm residents and diminish the quality of care we are able to provide. Please help ensure this account remains dedicated to resident-centered initiatives.
As a provider, I am already operating on razor-thin margins, balancing ever-increasing costs with the commitment to deliver safe, compassionate, and high-quality care. These budget changes—if adopted—would place unbearable strain on homes like mine. Without relief, I and many others may be forced to close our doors, leaving vulnerable residents without the care and community they deserve.
Please stand with adult family homes and the residents who depend on us. We are counting on your leadership during these critical final days of session.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Questions?
Contact our Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy:
Courtney Williams, MPA
Courtney@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org
Not a Member Yet?
Membership fees enable the Council to cover legal expenses and fund staff to advocate with the state and regulatory agencies. The participation of every adult family home is vital to ensuring fair regulations and rates that accurately reflect the costs of caring for our vulnerable adults. Consider becoming a member of the Council to help us continue improving conditions for all adult family homes in Washington State.