Action Needed: Support HB 1398!

We had nearly 1,400 PRO sign ins from providers and AFH advocates on HB 1398, our bill for equitable pay. As the bill moves on to be voted on by the committee, we can still take action. Please reach out to the committee members to thank them for considering the bill, and tell your representatives to support HB 1398 by Wednesday, Feb. 5. Every voice matters, and with your help, we can ensure this critical step toward equitable pay for adult family home providers continues to gain the support it deserves!

Tell Representatives to Support by Wednesday, February 5

A New Chapter for Karen Cordero

We encourage you to take a moment to read the heartfelt farewell from Karen Cordero, our Director of Education & Support. Over the past seven years, Karen has played a key role in educating and supporting providers, offering guidance, and advocating for provider interests with the State. Her dedication leaves a lasting impact on all of us at the Council and the thousands of providers she has served.

We’re excited that Karen will continue her work in the AFH community as the new Executive Director of the Long-Term Care Foundation on February 24. While we express deep gratitude for her contributions at the Council, we wish Karen all the best and look forward to working with her in her new role!

NEW Hybrid Schedule at the Council Office

Exciting times are ahead at the Council! We are thrilled to announce that we have added new staff members and are continuing to grow our organization! 🎉

With much thought and consideration, we believe the best way to serve our membership is to focus on the office, meet the demands of our members, and support our growth. For the month of February, our primary focus will be on onboarding and training new staff, and supporting our legislative agenda.

Starting January 31, 2025: Our phone lines will be open from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

We are committed to providing the best support and services to our members, and these changes are just the beginning. So many good things are coming your way—stay tuned!

February Credentialing Freeze and New HELMS System

The Washington State Department of Health is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new licensing system for all health professionals and facilities in Washington February 19, 2025! The Health Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) will help create efficiencies, improve user experience, streamline processing, strengthen data access, and reduce paper-based activities. If your license expires in February, renew now to avoid delays!

Ahead of the HELMS launch, all licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable in order to make system upgrades. This freeze will be during President’s Day weekend from Friday, February 14 at 5 p.m. until the morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to allow our team to transition data and launch the new system. Get information on licensing updates from the full notice linked below.

There’s a WAC for That!

Hidden Tidbits in WAC 388-76-10000

Welcome to the latest edition of “There’s a WAC for That,” where we uncover the hidden gems within Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-76-10000 – Definitions. This section is packed with crucial definitions that shape the care and protection of vulnerable adults in adult family homes. Dive into some key highlights with us!

TB Rulemaking Webinars Continue in 2025

DSHS will continue tuberculosis rulemaking webinars for adult family homes and enhanced services facilities through Spring 2025. Get links to register for the upcoming sessions at our linked news post.

Know Your Rights: Immigrant Resources

We have received several inquiries regarding deportation concerns and want to remind you that you have rights that protect you. To ensure everyone has access to important information, we’re sharing resources to help you navigate these concerns. Please refer to our news post for guidance on understanding and navigating your rights.

Get Registered for our 2025 Lobby Day!

Tuesday, March 25  |  8am — 5pm

Registration for our 2025 Lobby Day is now open! This free event is an opportunity to make your voice heard at the State Capitol. Share your experiences with lawmakers, discuss key issues, and network with other providers!

Attending this Lobby Day will allow you to:

• Understand community issues

• Share your experience

• Educate your lawmaker 

• Advance the AFH Council’s mission: To improve the lives and well-being of vulnerable adults through the support of adult family homes.

There’s a WAC for That!

Ensuring Compliance with Transfer and Discharge Regulations

A recent article in The Columbian, titled “Vulnerable people quietly kicked out of Clark County’s adult family homes and assisted living facilities,” has raised concerns about the perception of inappropriate discharges from our settings. While the article acknowledges there is no measure of this alleged activity, it is crucial that we address these concerns to maintain the trust of potential residents and their families. To help maintain trust and ensure compliance, we’ve provided information in our AFH news post on how to properly handle resident transfers and discharge notices.

Tax Season Alert for AFH Providers

As tax season approaches, it’s crucial for adult family home (AFH) providers to stay informed about important deadlines and requirements. Be sure to review our Tax Season Alert for essential information about W-2 and 1099 forms, including when they should be mailed and what to do if you haven’t received them. Staying informed and meeting these deadlines will help ensure a smooth and stress-free tax season.

See Who Won the 2024 Executive Board Election!

On December 2, the AFH Council held its annual Executive Board Election to fill three open positions. We had an outstanding slate of candidates, each with a strong commitment to our community. Thank you to everyone who nominated candidates and to all the candidates for their dedication to amplifying the voices of their peers. Check the link below to learn more about the winning candidates!

There’s a WAC for That!

Reporting Outbreaks

Are you aware that you are obligated to report an outbreak of a communicable disease? Get information on how an outbreak is defined and who needs to be notified when an outbreak occurs in our recent AFH news post. Stay in compliance and protect the health of everyone in your home!

There’s a WAC for That!

Record-Keeping for Residents

With a New Year comes a fresh start. It’s the perfect time to clean up and archive records/documents. Our latest AFH news post offers essential guidelines for providers to maintain up-to-date resident records. Key tips include retaining two years of assessments, NCPs, and the Preliminary Service Plan, ensuring confidentiality, and following WAC requirements on recordkeeping. Learn what must be included in resident records, such as identifying information, medical history, care plans, and more. Here’s to a well-organized and successful year ahead!

New Winter Seasonal Hazards Dashboard

Stay ahead of winter hazards with the new seasonal hazards dashboard from the

Washington State Department of Health (DOH)! This tool provides crucial data on severe weather impacts, such as motor vehicle crashes, cold-related illnesses, asthma-related emergencies, and more. It features interactive maps and graphs to help providers, communities, and policymakers stay informed and prepared. Explore the dashboard to enhance your ability to safeguard residents and navigate the challenges of winter with confidence.

BOI e-Filing Requirements on Pause

Please note that beneficial ownership information reporting requirements have been affected by a recent federal court order. The Department of the Treasury is appealing that order. In the meantime, reporting companies are not currently required to file a BOIR and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the applicable order remains in force. However, reporting companies may still opt to file a BOIR at https://www.fincen.gov/boi.

There’s a WAC for That!

Communicating Resident Rights

As we close out the year and look forward to the new one, it’s important to remember the rights of our residents. According to Residential Care Services (RCS), one of the most frequently cited Washington Administrative Codes (WAC) this year was WAC 388-76-10530. This WAC outlines the requirement for a written notice that must be given prior to admission and reviewed every 24 months. Read more in our AFH News post to stay compliant and start the new year off right!

DSHS Promotes DDA Adult Family Homes

DSHS is circulating a video they created that showcases three different adult family homes that support people with intellectual and development disabilities. The Council is thrilled to see the continued support from the state for adult family homes and their residents. The video highlights the state’s recognition of the diverse services adult family homes provide, from health and safety to empowering residents with choice and community inclusion. Check out the video at the link below and spread the word to family and friends!

NEW Advocacy Coordinator:
Courtney Williams

Please join us in welcoming Courtney Williams as our new Advocacy Coordinator! Courtney brings a strong background in advocating for individuals with disabilities, driving successful legislative efforts, and a personal connection to long-term care. We’re excited to have her on the team and look forward to working together to enhance our advocacy efforts.

BCCU Background Check Processing Update

BCCU has been diligently working to reprocess approximately 28,000 background checks that were submitted between November 1st and December 6th.

Unfortunately, the Background Check System has taken longer than anticipated to process these inquiries. The rerun process is anticipated to be fully completed by Friday, December 20th.

Manual review of results will continue during the remaining weeks of December or until the backlog is fully resolved. You may receive “Updated” results in BCS this month. Once all reruns and manual reviews are complete, BCCU will email all Primary Account Administrators (PAAs) with a summary of any inquiries that received updates.

Investigation And Referral Process For Allegations

Unrelated To Physical Or Sexual Abuse
December 6, 2024

This Dear Provider Letter shares an update to APS’s policy: they will now only investigate allegations of sexual abuse and physical abuse with substantial injury.  The letter also explains what is classified as a “substantial injury.” Read the letter here.

Respiratory Protection Against Airborne Diseases and Regulatory Requirements
November 7, 2024

This Dear Provider Letter is a reminder to review your infection prevention and control (IPC) system for your home as well as relevant regulations and guidelines. Read the letter here.

LTC Ombuds Access to Residential Care Facility Residents and Resident Records
October 31, 2024

This Dear Provider Letter outlines the critical need to collaborate with the State Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombuds when they need access to facilities and residents. Read the letter here.

Preparing for Winter Weather

Now is the time to prepare for winter conditions. The Developmental Disabilities Administration sent a newsletter on December 6, 2024 with information on tips for storm readiness, winterizing vehicles, signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and additional resources for further guidance.

Update on Medical Test Site Waiver Resources

New Dear Provider Letter

A new Dear Provider Letter was sent on November 15 with updated information on available resources. This newest letter supersedes previous letters on Medical Test Site Waivers and includes updated contact information. Read the Dear Provider Letter here.

Medical Test Site Waiver Webinar

A special webinar was hosted by the AFH Council to provide an overview of waived medical test sites in Washington. Attendees learned about the waived license, the application process and licensure requirements. You can view the recording here.

December Statewide Chapter Meeting Recap

If you missed our last Statewide Chapter meeting, you can still get the updates we shared by watching the recording!

Changes to Residential Support Waiver (RSW)

DSHS recently released a Dear Provider letter outlining changes to the Residential Support Waiver (RSW) scheduled to start July 1, 2025. Services under RSW include Expanded Community Support (ECS) and Specialized Behavior Support (SBS). The state is shifting how it pays for behavioral health support to leverage better federal participation and reduce state costs, which means that SBS and ECS will no longer be the primary program for serving residents needing behavioral or mental health support.

The AFH Council was specifically told that current RSW clients would remain on RSW, and only new residents would begin CBHS— but this letter states they intend to begin converting all eligible residents now. Read our latest AFH News post to learn more about the impact and how we are working to address this information.

NEW Adult Family Home Council Website!

Our new website launched this week! We’re thrilled to offer an enhanced experience for our members and our community of care seekers. Finding the right AFH is now easier than ever with our improved search features and user-friendly interface. Providers will now be able to make some changes to their listing directly on the website and take advantage of our updated Document Library. We’ve also streamlined navigation throughout our site to make it easier to find the information you need. Check out our latest AFH News post for an update on what’s changed and how to get the most out of this new platform.

Summer 2024 RCS AFH Provider Forum Q&As

The RCS AFH Provider Forum is a quarterly meeting with RCS hosted by the Council. They are scheduled with the intention of improving communication, giving providers opportunities to meet with RCS staff, and ensuring provider questions are answered. Please see information on the questions and answers covered from our Summer 2024 session here. The recording can also be viewed at this link.

Free COVID-19 Tests Returning This Fall

Health and Human Services are now distributing free CVOID-19 tests this fall. This is a great benefit for adult family homes to cut out of pocket costs while providing a safer environment for residents. Each home who submits an order request will have four tests delivered to the address they provide.

More information:

• Click here for a list of all testing products that have had extended expiration dates, sorted by brand and product.

• Subscribe to emails from the Office of Immunization to receive the latest updates.

Adjustments to Paid Claims in ProviderOne

DSHS is in the process of making adjustments to some paid claims in ProviderOne where incorrect resident participation (client responsibility-CR) amounts may have been deducted from paid claims. The expected outcome for most of the adjusted claims will be additional monies paid to the provider. However, some of the adjustments will be neutral and a few may result in a provider overpayment. Monitor your authorization list and confirm the participation amount is correct for each resident. If the amount of participation is different than you are expecting, contact your case manager. Read our Member News post for more information.

Stay Alert for COVID-19 Symptoms in Your AFH

The fall season is notorious for increasing cases of cold, flu, and COVID-19. As respiratory viruses spread in the community, the risk of spread in long-term care environments also increases. While we prepare for the season change, it’s important to stay alert for symptoms to prevent and slow virus spreading. Learn more about what to look out for with COVID-19 to keep your residents and your staff safe in our Members News post from Pim Savvy.

New Changes to PACE Payments

As of July 1, 2024, PACE payments will be sent from Providence ElderPlace/PACE instead of Providence Health & Services. Your first payment will be paid via paper check. After receiving this check, you can sign up for electronic payments. Check the status of your payment and get the recorded training session at our Member News post:

Succession Plans to be Reviewed Starting Sept. 1, 2024

In 2020, WAC 388-76-10201 required adult family homes to have a succession plan. This is a written plan that outlines how the home will continue to meet requirements of Chapter 388-76 WAC if the provider or entity representative is unable to fulfill their duties. A new Dear Provider Letter released on Aug 2, 2024 states that licensors will now request to review your AFH’s succession plan during routine licensing inspections starting September 1, 2024. For more information on succession plans, read the letter here.

NEW: Request a Membership Badge!

It’s okay to brag. Let everyone know you’re backed by the most trusted AFH advocates with a membership badge! Your personalized badge will prominently display the name of your home and can be used on your website and promotions.

Watch for Core Provider Agreement Emails

As the Health Care Authority (HCA) processes your Core Provider Agreement (CPA) application, we will contact you by email if more information is needed. It is important to take action if you get an email like this.

• The email will come from “ProviderOne@watdlora01.localdomain, WA noreply@hca.wa.gov“

• The subject line will be “Application Incomplete/In Process”

Read our Member News post for more information on office hours for support with completing the Core Provider Agreement and rapid response meetings.

New HCA Applicant Online Exam
Scheduling & Payment Process

Effective February 29, 2024

Beginning February 29, 2024, Prometric, the Department of Health (department) exam vendor for the home care aide profession, launches their new Online Candidate Portal allowing HCA applicants to self-schedule and self-pay for the home care aide examinations.

Once your Home care aide application is processed by the department, you will receive an email from Prometric with directions on setting up your profile on the candidate portal and for resetting the password. The department no longer accepts exam fee payments. Candidates now pay exam fees directly to Prometric through the Candidate Portal when scheduling exams.

Please read our Member News post for more information on how payments will be accepted moving forward and for links to support resources.

WAC Update: Commercial and Professional Liability Insurance Requirements

During the quarterly RCS-AFH Provider Forum on November 15th, Colleen Jensen, the RCS AFH Policy Program Manager, shared that there is a new requirement for AFHs to have both commercial and professional liability insurance. This is not a new requirement. The requirement for AFHs to have both professional and commercial liability insurance has been in place for years, however, the WACs were just updated in August, 2023 to clarify this requirement.

You are required to have liability insurance that covers the business (commercial) AND you and your staff (professional). Professional liability insurance is required for all caregiver types, regardless of the credential. This includes HCA, CNA, LPN, RN or ARNP, etc. Most insurance companies that provide liability insurance to AFHs are aware of these requirements. We suggest reviewing your policy or contacting your insurance company to ensure you have a policy that meets the regulatory requirements. Check out the member news post to review the new WACs:

Provider Responsibilities for Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Respiratory Protection Program (RPP), and Changes to Department of Health RPP Resources

A Dear Provider Letter dated 9/14/2023 was issued to give information on provider responsibilities related to:

• Provision of PPE in Long-term care (LTC) settings.

• Employer responsibilities for respiratory protection and RPP.

• Changes to the Department of Health (DOH) RPP resources and support.

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