What is an NPI Number and Do I Need One?

When completing contracts with a Managed Care Organization (MCO) for Community Behavioral Health Support (CBHS) services, a section of the application asks that providers add their NPI number. If you’re not sure what that is or whether you need one, check out our AFH News post linked below.

DOH Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

The Washington State Department of Health released an update on Wednesday, June 18 to confirm their latest guidance regarding COVID-19. The department continues to recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older receive the current COVID-19 vaccine, as informed by the Washington State Vaccine Advisory Committee.

There’s a WAC for That!

Emergency Evacuation Drills — Are You Ready?

Another hot spot on RCS’s Top 10 Areas of Non-Compliance is making waves: emergency evacuation drills. Despite their critical role in resident safety, many adult family homes are falling short of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requirements. So, the big question is—can you evacuate your residents in five minutes or less?

NEW Caregiving in Action Newsletter

After frequent requests, DSHS has released the first edition of the new Caregiving in Action newsletter. The newsletter was created for caregivers just like you to share helpful resources, real stories, and practical tips to make your caregiving journey easier. Read the first edition, which starts with a sincere thank you to everyday heroes, at the link below!

The Expanded Community Services (ECS) Program Will Remain Active

We want to take a moment to clarify a concern that came up during the most recent statewide chapter meeting regarding the future of the Expanded Community Services (ECS) program. To be clear: ECS is not being eliminated. We met with DSHS on June 11, 2025, and raised this concern directly. In that conversation, they clarified that the recent letter sent out was intended for all provider types—not just Adult Family Homes—and acknowledged that they could see how it may have led to confusion among AFH providers. However, they were clear that there is no intention to eliminate the ECS program. Learn more at the AFH News post linked below.

ProviderOne Payment Schedule Changes
June-July 2025

In observance of Juneteenth, state offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025. As a result, provider payments for this week (June 16, 2025) will be made on Saturday, June 21, 2025 including the delivery of Remittance Advices (RAs). Also, due to the timing of the State Biennium End and the observance of Independence Day, ProviderOne payments to providers for the week of June 30, 2025, will be delayed and made the following week on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Get the full update from the notice posted on our website.

There’s a WAC for That!

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Your Staff

Our office gets questions every day about TB requirements for new hires. In our latest newsletter, we did a breakdown of what the WAC requires — whether they have tested positive previously or got a recent test before hire. There are different steps to consider based on the situation that we cover in depth at the link below.

Important June Dear Provider Letters

Dear Provider Letters are notices sent from the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration regarding updates for AFH providers about policies, WAC changes, best practice guidance, and more. Get information on important new Dear Provider Letters published in June at our AFH News post linked below.

Meaningful Day Program Updates

As of right now, the Meaningful Day Program (MDP) is set to end July 1, 2025 for all participants. We know this is devasting and heartbreaking. Many of you have built your homes and care plans around this program. You have every right to feel frustrated, angry, and deeply disappointed—not just by the decision itself, but by how unclear and confusing this process has been. The state eliminated MDP in a way that we believe violates our contract and applicable statues. Get the update on how the Council is responding to this decision in a letter to the membership from our Interim Executive Director linked below.

Temporary Leadership Shifts at HCLA and DSHS

DSHS released an email newsletter on May 27 with details about a temporary shift in leadership at Home and Community Living and the Department of Social and Health Services. Get an update on the latest changes at our AFH News post.

Long-Term Care Foundation Summer Conferences

Theme: The Care Equation: Recruit + Train + Retain

Empowering adult family homes with practical tools to hire with intention, educate with purpose and lead with heart.

Topics:

• Building Your Professional Care Team with Intention: How We Can Help

• Onboarding vs Orientation: Establishing Your System

• Creating Your AFH Culture and Sustaining a Successful TEAM

• Q&A

4.0 CEU’s available to all who attend.

Licensing Fee Increase Effective July 1, 2025

On May 22, a Dear Provider Letter was sent from the Department of Social and Health Services outlining an increase to AFH license fees. This was enacted as part of the 2025 State Budget. Please review our AFH News update for details on the legislative change impacting your licensing fees and contact information for questions regarding your renewal date. We are in communication with DSHS and will share additional information on this process as we receive updates.

Death with Dignity Rule Making Meeting for AFHs

July 8  |  10:30am — 12:00pm

A Dear Provider Letter was released on May 16 to share that there will be upcoming rulemaking meetings regarding Death with Dignity (DWD) proposed rules. Register with the link below to share your feedback on language for DWD medications for the rule making session dedicated to AFHs.

2025 Legislative Session Overview

As the 2025 legislative session draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect — with gratitude, pride, and determination. This legislative session was not easy. In fact, it is the toughest we’ve seen in over a decade. Programs were cut, services were slashed, and every line item was on the chopping block. Yet, you showed up. You stood together. And because of that, we made meaningful progress that would not have been possible without your advocacy, your passion, and your voice. Get the update on what we’ve gained, what to expect, and the obstacles we’ll be facing as we position ourselves for the next session in our update.

Updated Community Behavioral
Health Support (CBHS) Guidance

The guidance for Community Behavioral Health Support (CBHS) Supervision services was updated in February 2025. Please review the guidance published by the Health Care Authority and DSHS for more information on claims submissions deadlines and documentation requirements. Please note: the AFH Council is working to understand the full scope of CBHS changes and is engaging in conversations with the Health Care Authority and DSHS. We will provide additional updates as soon as we have them.

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.

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