| | AFH COUNCIL UPDATES July 2nd, 2026 |
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| | | | | | Executive Director Message |
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| Dear Adult Family Home Providers, As we continue through CBA negotiations, I want to make sure I’m updating you all on some of the conversations we are having. As I mentioned in our last news article, on June 26, Washington released its latest economic revenue forecast. The forecast showed continued but modest economic growth overall, with higher projected collections in the current 2025–27 biennium, while projected revenue for 2027–29 was lowered. Before I get into our most recent conversation with the state, on June 11 we met with them to continue discussions on some of the non-economic pieces of our proposal. Without divulging into everything, two issues we certainly raised were social leave and interactions between case managers and AFH providers. A lot of you have shared with us your experiences on how these interactions have directly affected how you operate your homes and care for your residents. We heard you and have made it clear that providers need meaningful protections, especially in situations where decisions may unfairly disrupt placements or create instability in the home. On the social leave issue, we are waiting for the state’s report from its listening sessions. We expect that report sometime in mid-to-late July, which means those discussions will likely move into our August bargaining meetings. On June 30, we met with the state to discuss Washington’s economic landscape. The state’s position is that, despite some positive headlines around the revenue forecast, the underlying economy remains weak and calls for a restrained approach in bargaining. This mirrors broader reporting that negotiators are preparing unions for difficult compensation discussions driven by ongoing budget pressures in the 2027 budget cycle. The state is expected to present its economic proposal at our July 9 meeting, and given this stance, we would not be surprised if their offer does not fully reflect the realities providers are seeing on the ground. Once we receive their offer, negotiations will continue back and forth as we advocate for fair compensation and recognition of the vital work Adult Family Home providers do every day. Please know that the Council remains committed to fighting for Adult Family Home providers at the bargaining table. Your work is essential, and these negotiations are a key place where we push for the respect, protections, and compensation providers deserve. This is why it is crucial to be a member of the Adult Family Home Council. Membership gives you a voice and strengthens our ability to fight for what matters most to Adult Family Homes, including better pay, stronger workplace protections, and policies that support your ability to provide quality care. With that, I’ll end with, our office will be closed tomorrow in observance of the holiday. We wish you and your families a safe and happy 4th of July. With appreciation, Amina Teouri Interim Executive Director Adult Family Home Council |
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| | | Beginning July 1, 2026, Medicaid base daily rates for adult family homes have increased. The amount of the increase varies based on the resident’s classification level, your home’s specialty contract, and the county in which your adult family home is located. Providers are encouraged to review the updated rate tables and verify that the new rates have been applied correctly. Although these rate increases are intended to process automatically through ProviderOne, payment errors can occur. Providers should carefully monitor payments over the coming weeks to ensure they are receiving the correct reimbursement amounts. Homes with Exceptions to the Rule (ETRs) should pay particular attention. Because ETRs are authorized on the same service line as the base rate, some adjustments require manual processing by DSHS and may be overlooked. The amount of an approved ETR should not be reduced because of the base rate increase. If you notice an incorrect adjustment, contact your case manager or DSHS as soon as possible. These rate increases are the result of ongoing advocacy and collective bargaining efforts led by the Adult Family Home Council. If you are not yet a member, consider joining the Council to support continued advocacy for improved reimbursement rates, stronger provider protections, and a sustainable future for adult family homes across Washington. |
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| | | Funding Available For Heat Pumps In AFHs |
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| The Washington State Department of Commerce has tentatively awarded program administrators for the upcoming heat pump rebate and incentive programs that will serve adult family homes across Washington. While these awards are still tentative, this marks an important step toward making funding available to help providers purchase and install high-efficiency heat pumps. The selected organizations will be responsible for administering the programs, including determining eligibility, processing applications, and distributing rebates and incentives. Tentative program administrators include Ready 2 Serve Ministries, King County Energize, HopeSource, WOW Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities, Coastal Community Action Council, Ohop Mutual Light Company, Sustainable Living Center, the City of Richland, the City of Shoreline, the City of Tacoma, and Cowlitz County PUD, each serving designated regions throughout the state. The Adult Family Home Council will continue monitoring the rollout of these programs and will share additional information as it becomes available, including application timelines, eligibility requirements, participating service areas, and instructions on how to apply for funding. If you have questions in the meantime, you can contact the Washington State Department of Commerce at homerebates@commerce.wa.gov or visit the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) webpage for additional information. |
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| | | Save the Date! 2026 Fall Conference |
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| Celebrating 30 Years of Resilience – Voice, Value, and Vision Mark your calendars for the Adult Family Home Council’s 2026 Fall Conference, Celebrating 30 Years of Resilience – Voice, Value, and Vision, taking place Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25, 2026 at the Tulalip Resort and Casino. Join providers and partners from across Washington for two days of education, networking, and collaboration as we celebrate three decades of advocating and supporting Adult Family Homes. Additional details, including the conference agenda and registration information, will be available soon. Tentative Registration Dates Sponsorship Registration 7/15/2026 Vendor Registration 7/15/2026 Call for Speakers 7/15/2026 Conference Attendee Registration 8/5/2026 |
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| | HR1 Federal Change: What This Means for AFHs |
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| Due to a new federal law, House Resolution 1 (HR1), the federal government is introducing new restrictions on eligibility for certain benefits that rely on federal funding, including Apple Health Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS). Beginning October 1, 2026, some adult immigrant residents in adult family homes may lose access to federally funded Apple Health LTSS based on immigration status. This change may impact residents who are currently receiving federally funded LTSS and who are in categories such as refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, or other individuals with humanitarian protections. Starting in July 2026, affected residents are expected to receive informational letters explaining these changes and encouraging them to report any updates in immigration or citizenship status to DSHS. For adult family homes, this may result in changes to how care is funded for certain residents beginning October 1, 2026. While the Legislature has allocated some state funding to help offset impacts and is developing a limited state-funded program, available resources will not cover all affected individuals. As a result, some providers may see residents whose funding changes or is no longer available. DSHS has outlined the following general timeline: informational letters begin in July 2026, followed by case manager outreach and assessments in August and September, and implementation of changes on October 1, 2026, when some residents will be disenrolled from federally funded Apple Health LTSS. Adult family home providers are encouraged to identify potentially impacted residents, monitor communication from DSHS and case managers, and document any changes in funding, placement, or care planning. AFHC will continue to track developments closely and share updates as more information becomes available about the state-funded replacement program and eligibility criteria. AFHC has also submitted a formal demand to bargain regarding the impacts of this policy change on adult family home providers. We will continue to provide updates as negotiations and implementation discussions progress and will share additional guidance as it becomes available. |
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| | | Cannabis Guidance for Adult Family Homes |
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| Residential Care Services (RCS) has reissued its cannabis guidance for Adult Family Homes after the original 2015 publication reached its administrative retention period. While the guidance does not introduce new requirements, it serves as a reminder of current expectations regarding resident cannabis use and the importance of having clear facility policies in place. Although cannabis is legal in Washington State for certain medical and recreational uses, it remains illegal under federal law. Because RCS receives federal funding, it cannot issue guidance that specifically supports cannabis use. However, RCS recognizes that some residents may legally obtain cannabis through licensed dispensaries and use it to help manage certain medical conditions. Providers are encouraged to develop or review written policies addressing cannabis use, even if it is not currently an issue in their home. Policies should address resident safety, secure storage, supervision when needed, and documentation of cannabis use in each resident’s Negotiated Service Agreement. RCS also reminds providers that state and federal cannabis laws continue to evolve. Adult family homes should stay informed of current requirements and regularly review their policies to ensure they reflect current guidance and support safe resident care. Read the full article for additional information and recommended best practices. |
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| | | DDA and HCS Quarterly Connection Meetings with Adult Family Homes |
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| The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Home and Community Services (HCS), in partnership with the Adult Family Home Council (AFHC), are inviting Adult Family Home providers to participate in the next Quarterly AFH Connection Meeting. These quarterly meetings provide an opportunity for providers to receive updates from state partners, learn about programs and services impacting adult family homes, and engage in conversations that strengthen communication and collaboration between providers, DDA, HCS, and AFHC. The upcoming meeting will focus on Community Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) transitions, Intensive Behavioral Support Services (IBSS), and other program updates. Providers will have the opportunity to learn more about current initiatives, available behavioral health supports, and important information affecting AFH operations. The meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Registration is open to all Adult Family Home owners. Read the full article for meeting details and registration information. |
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| | | NOW AVAILABLE: Updated Worker Safety Awareness Program |
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| The updated Adult Family Home Industry Worker Safety Awareness Program is now available! This free statewide training program has been redesigned to make workplace safety training more accessible, practical, and relevant for adult family home providers and caregivers. The updated e-Course helps providers and staff learn how to identify, prevent, and respond to common workplace hazards while supporting compliance with Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) safety requirements. The training is designed for today’s workforce and automatically adjusts to desktops, tablets, and smartphones, allowing learners to complete training at their own pace. The new program includes 43 interactive micro-modules, with each module taking 15 minutes or less to complete. The training covers important safety topics such as personal protective equipment (PPE), ergonomics, hazardous drugs, bloodborne pathogens, and other workplace hazards. Additional learning tools include quizzes, knowledge checks, interactive activities, optional modules, and educational resources available in multiple languages. Participants who complete the course and successfully pass all four quizzes will earn continuing education credits. The updated program is available to all learners, regardless of Adult Family Home Council membership status. Existing AFHC Partner Portal users can access the training using their current Cornerstone login, and new users may create an account to access the course. The updated Worker Safety Awareness Program was developed through funding and support from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Safety & Health Investment Projects (SHIP) program. Providers and caregivers are encouraged to take advantage of this resource to strengthen workplace safety practices, reduce injuries, and create safer environments for both staff and residents. |
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| | Get Registered! Upcoming Webinars |
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| | AFHC- Hosted Adult Family Home Claims & Billing Webinar
July 7 | 9:00AM – 11:00AM |
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| This webinar is hosted by the Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) and taught by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) team. The session introduces the new Adult Family Home Clearinghouse, designed to simplify how AFHs work with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. Participants will learn how the system works, how to register for and use the online platform, and how to accurately submit claims for CBHS and IBSS services. The training will also cover provider enrollment, key Medicaid billing guidelines, and common troubleshooting tips to help providers navigate the new process with confidence. 2.0 CEU available to all AFH Council Members who attend |
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| | | Mornings with Member Support
July 9 | 8:30AM – 9:30AM |
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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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| | | Upcoming Chapter Meetings |
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| | | Snohomish Chapter Meeting
July 7 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM |
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| This chapter meeting will be an informal gathering focused on connection and conversation rather than a formal continuing education presentation. Members are invited to spend time with fellow providers, share experiences, ask questions, and build relationships within the chapter in a relaxed setting. |
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| | | | Mountlake Terrace Chapter Meeting
July 8 | 1:00PM – 3:30PM |
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| | | | | Kent Chapter Meeting
July 10 | 11:00AM – 2:30PM |
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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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