| | AFH COUNCIL UPDATES April 3rd, 2026 |
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| | | | Executive Director Message |
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| | Dear Adult Family Home Providers, I am deeply honored to step into the role of Interim Executive Director of the Adult Family Home Council. I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to our Board, members, and dedicated staff for entrusting me with this responsibility during such an important period of transition. Even though I had temporarily stepped away from the Council, the AFH community has always remained close to my heart. I have admired the compassion, resilience, and commitment each of you brings to caring for Washington’s most vulnerable adults. It is a privilege to serve on your behalf once again, and to work alongside an incredible team that believes in uplifting your voices and ensuring you have the resources and support you need to provide exceptional care. As we enter this next chapter together, my priorities are simple: to listen, to strengthen relationships, and to ensure that every member feels valued, supported, and represented. You are, and will continue to be, at the center of everything we do, whether we’re advocating for sound policy with the legislature, state departments, or through collective bargaining; addressing challenges in your business; or improving day-to-day operations. I step into this interim role with humility and purpose, recognizing that leadership is never about one individual, it’s about the collective strength of our community. I am inspired every day by your dedication and by the passion of our staff, and I am eager to continue advancing our shared mission. I also want to take a moment to recognize our outgoing Board Chair, Dorothy Schlimme. During her tenure, Dorothy has led with integrity and compassion through moments that required courage and difficult decisions. Her leadership, even in challenging times, has set a powerful example of what it means to serve with conviction and heart. As we look ahead, I am equally excited to partner with our new Board Chair, Hope Reffett. Hope brings insight, dedication, and a deep commitment to this community, and I look forward to working closely with her to continue strengthening the Council’s vision, responsiveness, and impact for our members and the residents you serve. Now, more than ever, we need to move forward united. The Adult Family Home community deserves clarity, stability, and collective strength, not distractions that create division or confusion. I know how deeply you all care about your homes, your residents, and your livelihoods. I ask that we focus our energy on what truly matters: standing together with the Council as one voice so we can continue fighting for you, your businesses, and the people we serve. Together, we are stronger, and together, our advocacy carries far greater weight in shaping the future of adult family homes across Washington. Amina Teouri Interim Executive Director |
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| | 2026 Spring Conference Registration is Now Open |
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| | It’s time to make your voice heard and help shape the future for Adult Family Home providers. Join us for the 2026 Spring Conference: In Good Hands — Advocacy & Guidance You Need to Thrive, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect directly with Council leadership, share your experiences, and influence the issues that matter most to your work and the residents you support. With CBA negotiations beginning in mid-May, your voice is especially important right now. This conference is your chance to speak up about what your business needs to thrive, from communication with the department to new programs and fair compensation. Throughout the day, you’ll hear important updates, gain practical tools, and take part in engaging discussions designed to support your success. You’ll also have time to network with fellow providers, connect with vendors, and enjoy lunch on us. And yes, there will be some fun along the way, including opportunities to win exciting prizes. The conference will be held in Auburn, Spokane, and Vancouver, making it easier for you to attend a location that works best for you. Seats are limited, and last year’s conference sold out quickly. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation. Let’s make 2026 the year providers are truly heard. |
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| | | | Social Leave feedback Sessions for Adult Family Homes |
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| The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is inviting Adult Family Home providers, advocates, and community members to share feedback on the use of Social Leave for Medicaid clients living in AFHs. This is an opportunity to help shape how Social Leave is implemented and ensure provider perspectives are heard. Upcoming sessions for providers: May 14, 2026 | 9:00 – 11:00 AM June 1, 2026 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Registration by April 30 is encouraged, but you may sign up anytime before your session. |
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| | | | New Member Resources: March Webinar Q&As Now Available |
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| We’re pleased to share two valuable resources now available to support your ongoing work as AFH providers. These Q&A documents capture important insights and clarifications from recent webinars, helping you stay informed and confident in your practice. RCS AFH Winter Forum – Q&A (March 11, 2026) If you attended the quarterly forum with RCS this month – or even if you couldn’t make it – this Q&A resource is a great way to deepen your understanding. It covers responses to participant questions submitted during the webinar, offering helpful guidance and deeper context on a range of topics relevant to AFH providers. Licensing Inspections for AFH Providers Webinar – Q&A (March 19, 2026) We’re also excited to share a comprehensive Q&A resource developed by Maleia Press, our Regulatory Support Director. This document expands on the Licensing Inspections webinar, addressing common questions and providing practical clarification to help you better prepare for and navigate the inspection process. We encourage all members to review these resources and keep them handy as reference tools. As always, our goal is to ensure you have access to clear, reliable information to support your success. If you have any follow-up questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help. |
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| | | | HCA Support calls Ending April 6 – New Support Option Available |
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| We want to share an important update regarding HCA resources for AFH providers. The weekly HCA Rapid Response Calls (on Mondays) and HCA Office Hours Calls for providers who need help completing the ProviderOne application (on Tuesdays) will be ending after April 6, 2026. These calls were originally established to support providers with billing, contracting, authorizations, and general CBHS questions. With the rollout of the MCO Clearinghouse, which officially launched on March 2, 2026, less support needs are anticipated by HCA. Due to streamlined billing and navigation processes, providers can expect a more efficient and user-friendly experience when working with CBHS services. |
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| | | | Hospice Coordination Fees & Documentations Requirements |
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| We’ve recently received guidance from the Long-Term Care Ombuds Office regarding hospice-related charges in Adult Family Homes. What you need to know: Providers should also ensure that all required documentation such as admission agreements and service/charge disclosures is accurate and up to date. |
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| | | | Update: Changes to SBS Services Under CBHSS |
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| Important changes are impacting Adult Family Homes that support residents previously receiving Specialized Behavioral Supports (SBS). Providers who were previously “grandfathered in” under a prior agreement are now seeing those SBS services discontinued under Community Behavioral Health Supports Services (CBHSS). The state is transitioning affected individuals to Enhanced Care Services (ECS) due to federal requirements. What this means for you: Potential financial and operational impacts for affected homes Ongoing state transition from SBS to ECS Active advocacy efforts underway by the Council
The Council is currently working with the state to better understand these impacts and pursue solutions to support providers and residents. |
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| | | | Clearinghouse Update & Provider Support |
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| We recognize that many providers have experienced challenges with the new clearinghouse system, and we want you to know your concerns are being heard. The Council is actively working with the Health Care Authority to address key issues, including confusion around NPI entry, modifier selection, billing accuracy, and claim processing. We are also seeking clarification on how claims are matched to the correct provider location to ensure accurate payments. Your feedback has been essential in identifying these challenges and pushing for clearer guidance and system improvements. Additional clearinghouse training sessions have been scheduled throughout April to support providers during this transition. If you’ve had difficulty accessing past trainings, we are also exploring ways to make sessions more accessible through the Council’s platform. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and continue sharing your experience with us. |
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| | Get Registered! Upcoming Webinars |
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| | Getting the Health Insurance You Need On Washington Healthplanfinder
April 7 | 11:00AM – 12:00PM |
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| With so many choices and considerations at stake, navigating health insurance as a small business owner can feel overwhelming. Join a session with Marie Cooper from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. She will simplify the process and highlight the options available on Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s official health and dental insurance marketplace, where Washingtonian’s can access individual plans that meet their needs and lifestyle. 1.0 CEU available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | Mental Health Disorders: Complex Diagnoses and Advanced Intervention Strategies
April 8 | 9:00AM – 11:00AM |
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| This training builds on the foundations and focuses on more complex mental health diagnoses, including schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, personality disorders, and neurocognitive conditions. 2.0 CEU available to all who attend. |
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| | Mornings with Member Support
April 9 | 8:30PM – 9:30PM |
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| Join us on the second and fourth Thursday of each month for Mornings With Member Support, an open conversation space led by Maleia Press, AFHC’s Regulatory Support Director, together with our Member Support team. These informal Q&A sessions give Adult Family Home providers the opportunity to ask questions, gain clarity on regulatory requirements, and talk through real-world compliance scenarios with AFHC’s in-house experts. While the focus is on regulatory compliance and understanding both state and federal rules, no topic is off limits bring any question related to AFH operations, resident rights, documentation, surveys, or day-to-day challenges. Whether you’re navigating a complex situation, seeking guidance on best practices, or simply wanting reassurance that you’re on the right track, this twice-monthly space offers supportive, practical answers in a welcoming environment. |
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| | Complaint Investigations in AFHs
April 14 | 2:00PM- 3:00PM |
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| This session provides Adult Family Home providers with a detailed overview of the complaint investigation process, including the upcoming Facility Reported Incident (FRI) pilot process. Participants will learn about the different types of intakes, including public complainants and FRIs, response timelines, and how referrals are handled. The training will walk through the investigative process step by step, including public complainant interviews, alleged victim (AV) interviews, alleged perpetrator (AP) interviews, collateral contacts, exit conferences, and potential outcomes. By clarifying how investigations are initiated, conducted, and concluded, this session helps providers better understand expectations and investigative procedures. 1.0 CEU available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | | Upcoming Chapter Meetings |
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| | | Snohomish Chapter Meeting
April 7 | 11:00AM – 1:00PMMarysville Library 6120 Grove St, Marysville, WA 98270 |
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| AFH Employer’s Guide to Worker Rights Presented by Stephen Yim, Community Outreach Specialist with the DOL Join us for a practical, information-packed webinar designed to help Adult Family Home providers stay compliant and protect their business. This session will cover essential employer responsibilities under federal labor laws, including Minimum Wage Act protections, tracking hours of work and required recordkeeping, overtime pay requirements, paid sick leave rules, employee protections from retaliation and discrimination, Minimum Wage Act exemptions, meal and rest break requirements, how the workplace rights complaint process works, and how these federal standards apply in everyday workplace situations. If you want clarity, confidence, and a clear roadmap for meeting federal labor standards, this is a session you won’t want to miss. 1.0 hours of CE available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | | | Mountlake Terrace Chapter Meeting
April 8 | 1:00PM – 3:30PMMountlake Terrace Library 23300 58th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA |
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| Topic: Therapeutic Communication For Healthcare Staff Presented by Jordan Drew, LPN, CDP, CPDC, Continuum Care Hospice Difficult conversations are part of caregiving — but they don’t have to be adversarial. This session helps providers build confidence in navigating challenging interactions with residents’ families and others involved in care. We’ll explore strategies for empathy-based communication, framing conversations as “us working together to solve a problem,” and understanding that families may care deeply while having different knowledge or experience levels. The goal is stronger partnerships, calmer interactions, and better shared outcomes. 1.0 hours of CE available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | | | Kent Chapter Meeting
April 10 | 11:30AM – 2:30PMKent Senior Center 600 E Smith St, Kent, WA 98030 |
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| Communication and Behavior Strategies for Residents Living with Dementia Presented by Home Health Clinicians, Evergreen Health This training provides practical guidance on effective communication and behavior support strategies for residents living with dementia. Participants will gain an understanding of how cognitive changes associated with dementia impact communication and behavior, and will learn person-centered approaches to reduce distress and responsive behaviors. The session includes instruction on identifying common triggers, implementing proactive non-pharmacological interventions, and applying environmental and activity-based modifications that promote engagement, dignity, and quality of life. By the end of the training, participants will be able to describe the effects of cognitive decline on communication, demonstrate person-centered communication techniques, and apply practical strategies to support safer, more supportive daily care interactions. 1.0 hours of CE available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | | AFH Council Online Campus Registration |
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| | As a member of the Adult Family Home Council, you and two staff members can access on-demand Continuing Education Units through our Online Campus, powered by Cornerstone Healthcare Training. This training platform is free with your membership and offers self-paced, mobile-friendly courses designed specifically for Adult Family Home providers. Members benefit from exclusive course offerings, a quick and easy registration process, and expert support when needed. Use the button below to request your registration and start exploring the Online Campus today. |
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| | | Interested in Presenting or Sponsoring? |
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| | The Adult Family Home Council is planning upcoming chapter meetings, webinars, and conferences. We invite affiliate business partners and experienced AFH providers to take part as education presenters or chapter meeting lunch sponsors. We welcome provider-focused presentation topics that offer practical guidance for AFH owners. Experienced providers are encouraged to share successful practices from real AFH settings and may present independently or in collaboration with Council staff. Interested in presenting or sponsoring? Complete our brief interest form to share your topic ideas and availability. |
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| | | Stay Up-To-Date with Our Upcoming Events and Webinars! |
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| | | | | | | | | P: 1.360.754.3329 | F: 1.360.943.6653 | T: 1.888.439.8999 3309 Capitol Blvd. SW Ste 1, Tumwater, WA 98501 |
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