RCS AFH Pilot for Facility Reported Incidents
Residential Care Services (RCS) will launch a six‑month “proof of concept” pilot in Region 1 in July 2026 to test an administrative review and offsite investigation process for select facility‑reported incidents (FRIs). The pilot will apply to medium‑ and low‑level harm incidents that do not require an onsite investigation, allowing RCS to evaluate whether remote investigations are feasible, effective, and efficient.
Facility‑reported incidents are events or allegations that adult family home providers must report to the state hotline as mandatory reporters. Under the pilot, providers will continue to submit initial FRI reports through the Residential Care Services Online Incident Reporting (OIR) portal, as they do today.
New expectations for follow up and documentation
For participating adult family homes, the pilot adds a structured follow‑up component. Providers will be expected to submit any follow‑up updates related to their initial FRI reports within five days, detailing what they learned from their internal review and what actions were taken. While submission of a follow-up report is not mandatory, providers who choose not to submit one should expect an on-site investigation.
RCS is also enhancing the OIR system so providers can upload supporting documentation directly into the portal at the time of initial reporting and throughout the investigation process. These uploads may include internal investigation notes, corrective action plans, and other relevant records that support the offsite review.
By shifting qualifying incidents to an administrative review and offsite model, RCS aims to streamline investigations, maintain oversight, and reduce unnecessary onsite visits, while preserving accountability and resident protection.
June 23 training for AFH Webinar Training
To prepare providers for these changes, the Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) and RCS are partnering on a joint training for adult family home providers and staff. The virtual session will:
- Provide an overview of the AFH FRI pilot and its objectives
- Explain legal and regulatory requirements for mandatory incident reporting
- Clarify expectations for submitting five‑day follow‑up updates
- Offer step‑by‑step instruction on how to upload documents through the OIR portal
The training will be held virtually on:
- Date: June 23, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Registration and participation are encouraged for providers and staff who handle incident reporting, compliance, and resident safety.
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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.