| | AFH COUNCIL UPDATES June 12th, 2026 |
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| | | | | | Executive Director Message |
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| Dear Adult Family Home Providers, I want to share a brief update following our second day of contract negotiations with the State, which took place yesterday, June 11. During this session, the State walked through several topics, including clarifying their role in relation to discussions at the bargaining table and responding to some of the non-economic proposals we initially presented on May 19. While we took time to understand their perspectives on certain elements, we also strongly pushed back in areas where many of you have expressed significant concern. These conversations are not always easy, and some of the issues on the table are complex and take time to fully process. That said, we remain optimistic that there is a path toward meaningful progress and potential middle ground. That said, earlier this month, the Governor released budget instructions stating that the State is facing significant budget shortfalls in the next biennium and has directed agencies to identify reductions, limit new program growth, and focus requests on mandatory cost increases. While this context underscores how challenging the fiscal environment will be, the Governor has also emphasized the need to “protect core services in a sustainable and equitable way” and has directed agencies to be mindful of disproportionate impacts on underserved communities. In sharing the budget letter publicly, he further outlined his goals: preserve core services, protect our state’s most vulnerable, avoid raising taxes, and address structural challenges in the budget to maintain long‑term financial stability. We know adult family homes are a core part of that safety net. AFHs consistently care for some of the highest acuity residents in the system, individuals who might otherwise require placement in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities at a significantly higher cost to the State. As we await the upcoming economic revenue forecast in the next few weeks, we are hopeful that our partners at the bargaining table will share the Governor’s stated commitment to protecting our state’s most vulnerable, and that together we can reach a contract that works for everyone. Ensuring that providers have appropriate working conditions is not only necessary for your sustainability, but also for maintaining the quality of care that Washington’s most vulnerable adults rely on every day. This work ultimately supports both better outcomes for residents and cost savings for the State. We will continue to keep you informed as negotiations progress and remain committed to advocating on your behalf. With appreciation, Amina Teouri Interim Executive Director Adult Family Home Council |
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| | We Are Hiring! Director of Communications and Digital Technology |
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| The Adult Family Home Council is hiring a Director of Communications and Digital Technology, a new leadership role that will strengthen our ability to inform, engage, and support adult family home providers across Washington. This position reflects both the growth of the adult family home community and the need for a modern, accessible digital platform that connects families, providers, and partners with timely information, education, and advocacy. The Director of Communications and Digital Technology will lead AFHC’s overall communications strategy while overseeing our website, email, and social media presence. This role will be responsible for redesigning and managing our WordPress website, improving the Adult Family Home Finder, and organizing our online resource library so that key information is easier to find and use. The director will also coordinate digital campaigns, newsletters, and social media content that help providers stay informed about regulatory changes, training opportunities, and Council initiatives In addition, this position will guide AFHC’s use of digital tools such as marketing automation, analytics, and online engagement platforms. By strengthening our digital infrastructure, the director will help shorten response times, improve access to educational content, and ensure that providers, families, and stakeholders can connect with the information and support they need, when they need it. Adult family home providers, communications professionals, and others with relevant experience in digital communications, web design, or technology who are interested in contributing to the Council’s work are encouraged to apply. |
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| | | AFH Council Phone System Update |
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| The Adult Family Home Council recently updated its phone system to improve how providers connect with staff and reduce delays in reaching the right department. While early adjustments revealed some routing issues, improvements have now been made to create a more efficient experience for members. When calling the Council, providers can now select the team they need directly, including Member Support, Continuing Education/Training, and Membership Accounts. This change is intended to reduce transfers and help callers reach the appropriate staff more quickly. For Member Support calls, providers can either stay on the line to connect with the next available staff member or press 1 to leave a voicemail at any time. This ensures members are not automatically routed to voicemail during high call volume periods. The updated system also allows the Council to monitor call volume and response times so additional improvements can be made over the coming months. Providers who have difficulty reaching staff after multiple attempts are encouraged to email info@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org for follow-up support. |
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| | | Updates to Transfer or Discharge Notice Requirements for Medicaid Residents |
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| DSHS has updated Form 15-458, the Notice of Transfer or Discharge, to include a new field for the resident’s ACES ID and to streamline where Medicaid-related notices are sent. The updated process applies to adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and enhanced services facilities. Providers must now include the resident’s ACES ID on all Medicaid transfer or discharge notices and send a copy to the centralized Data Management System (DMS) so the appropriate HCS or DDA case manager can be notified. This change is intended to improve communication and ensure timely coordination during resident transitions. Form 15-458 remains optional, and providers may continue using their own facility forms. However, all Medicaid-related notices must still include the ACES ID and be routed to DMS using the designated fax or mailing address. |
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| | | New DSHS Nurse Delegation Policy |
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| DSHS has issued a new HCS/DDA Management Bulletin (H26-023) that updates how nurse delegation services are handled when a resident is in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (SNF). This change is part of an internal billing and authorization update and does not create new regulatory requirements for adult family homes. The bulletin clarifies that nurse delegation services may now be authorized and paid while a client is in an institutional setting, such as a hospital or SNF, when needed to support safe discharge planning and transition back to the AFH. These services will be billed using specific state and program funding structures and internal reason codes. For AFHs, this means nurse delegators may remain involved during hospital stays to support care continuity, medication planning, and discharge coordination. Case managers will also adjust authorization lines to ensure services are properly tracked and do not exceed monthly limits during institutional stays. |
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| | | ProviderOne Claims Submission Deadline and Payment Date Changes |
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| The Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced temporary changes to ProviderOne claims submission deadlines and payment schedules due to the observance of Juneteenth and State Fiscal Year End processing. These adjustments are intended to ensure continued claims processing and timely payments during periods when normal schedules are affected. Providers who submit claims through ProviderOne should be aware that several submission deadlines have been moved earlier than usual. Corresponding payment and Remittance Advice (RA) distribution dates have also been adjusted, making it important for providers to review upcoming deadlines and plan ahead. These temporary schedule changes may impact billing workflows, cash flow planning, and coordination with third-party billing vendors. Missing a revised deadline could result in delays in claim processing and reimbursement. AFH providers are encouraged to review the updated schedule, notify billing staff of the changes, and submit claims as early as possible |
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| | | | RCS AFH Pilot Facility Reported Incidents |
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| Residential Care Services (RCS) will launch a six-month pilot program in July 2026 to test a new offsite investigation and administrative review process for select facility-reported incidents (FRIs) in adult family homes. The pilot will focus on low- and medium-level incidents that do not require onsite investigations. Under this pilot, AFHs in Region 1 will continue reporting incidents through the OIR portal as usual. However, providers will also be required to submit follow-up updates within five days, outlining internal review findings and any corrective actions taken. RCS is also updating the OIR system to allow providers to upload supporting documentation directly into the portal during both initial reporting and follow-up. This includes investigation notes and corrective action plans to support the review process. |
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| | | Updates to Bed Hold Policy and DSHS Form 05-249 |
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| Home and Community Services (HCS) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) have issued important updates to the Bed Hold policy for clients receiving Residential Support Waiver (RSW) services. The changes expand the types of approved settings where clients may receive short-term care while allowing providers to continue receiving Bed Hold payments when eligibility requirements are met. In addition, DSHS Form 05-249 has been revised and renamed “Notice of Bed Hold” to better align with the updated policy and reporting process. The revised form includes new sections, updated instructions, and changes to provider reporting requirements. The updated policy outlines qualifying care settings, Bed Hold authorization rules, the 20-day Bed Hold period, and the 24-hour return requirement between qualifying stays. Providers serving RSW clients should review these changes carefully to ensure compliance and proper documentation. |
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| | | Extended Timelines For HCA Certifications |
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| The Washington State Department of Health has adopted permanent rules extending the timeline for Home Care Aide (HCA) certification and clarifying training requirements and exemptions for long-term care workers, including staff in adult family homes. These changes take effect July 3, 2026, and remain in place through December 31, 2027. Under the updated rules, workers will have additional time to complete certification, while core training requirements remain unchanged. Basic training (generally 75 hours) must still be completed within 120 days of hire. However, the timeline to obtain full HCA certification has been extended to 365 days from the date of hire, and up to 425 days for workers with provisional certification. For AFH providers, this extension offers more flexibility in a challenging workforce environment, but employers are still responsible for tracking training milestones and certification deadlines to ensure compliance. The rules also clarify when caregivers may begin working before full certification, outline stricter expectations for timely application submission (within 14 days of hire), and detail updated provisions for limited-English-proficient workers receiving provisional certificates. These changes are temporary and tied to ongoing legislative authority, with current timelines set to revert after December 31, 2027, unless extended by the legislature. |
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| | | | CBHS Clearinghouse: What AFHs Need to Know |
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| Adult Family Home providers now have access to a new centralized billing system for the Community Behavioral Health Support (CBHS) program. Through a partnership between the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and Community Health Partnership Services (CHPS), providers can submit CBHS claims for both managed care organizations (MCOs) and HCA through a single portal. In addition to claims processing, CHPS offers support with ProviderOne enrollment, MCO contracting and credentialing, and navigating the CBHS payment process. This new system is designed to reduce administrative burden and make participation in the CBHS program easier for providers. AFHs interested in providing CBHS services must still complete required enrollment and contracting steps, but CHPS is available to help guide providers through the process. |
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| | | Updated Worker Safety Awareness Program |
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| The Adult Family Home Council is launching an updated version of the Worker Safety Awareness Program on June 16, 2026. This free statewide training is designed to help adult family homes identify, prevent, and respond to common workplace hazards while supporting compliance with Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) requirements and strengthening overall safety practices in care settings. The redesigned e-course is more flexible and user-friendly, featuring 43 short interactive modules that can be completed in segments of 15 minutes or less. The training is accessible on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices and includes quizzes, videos, games, and supplemental resources to support learning. Participants will explore key topics such as PPE use, ergonomics, hazardous drug exposure, and bloodborne pathogen safety. Educational materials will also be available in multiple languages, including Spanish and several additional community languages, along with ADA-accessible formats. To earn continuing education credit, participants must complete all modules and pass four quizzes with a score of 75% or higher. The training is self-paced, can be paused and resumed at any time, and allows unlimited quiz retakes. The program was developed with support from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Safety & Health Investment Projects (SHIP) grant program and is intended to make workplace safety training more practical, accessible, and engaging for AFH providers and caregivers. |
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| | | Ship Grant: Hepatitis B Virus |
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| Hepatitis B (HBV) is a highly infectious, vaccine-preventable liver infection spread through contact with infected blood or certain body fluids. Because HBV can survive in dried blood for over a week, adult family home staff should follow strict infection control practices to reduce exposure risk. How it spreads
HBV is transmitted through exposure to infected blood or body fluids, including needlestick injuries, sharing needles, unprotected sex, contact with open wounds or contaminated surfaces, and from mother to child during birth. Symptoms
Symptoms may be mild or severe and include fatigue, fever, nausea, abdominal pain, joint pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Infection can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Prevention A safe and effective vaccine is available and highly protective for most adults. Employers must offer the HBV vaccine at no cost to staff with occupational exposure risk. Consistent use of PPE (gloves, masks, eye/face protection, gowns, and resuscitation devices) is required when exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials is possible.
If exposure occurs
Staff should immediately wash and flush the affected area, report the incident to a supervisor, and seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. Employers are required to ensure access to post-exposure care and vaccination when needed. Key reminder for AFHs
Follow standard bloodborne pathogen precautions at all times and ensure staff are trained in PPE use and exposure response procedures to protect both employees and residents. |
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| | Get Registered! Upcoming Webinars |
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| | Room and Care Training for Providers
June 16 | 10:30AM – 12:00PM |
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| This training provides practical, step-by-step guidance on using the Room and Care application to list current Medicaid vacancies. Participants will learn how to create and manage listings, keep vacancy information accurate and up to date, and ensure their home appears in searches used by case managers and referral sources. The session will also cover common errors to avoid, best practices for maintaining listings, and how effective use of Room and Care can support timely placements and stable occupancy. No CEUs will be offered |
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| | | Upcoming Chapter Meetings |
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| | | Lakewood Chapter Meeting
June 16 | 2:00PM – 5:00PM |
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| Topic: Licensing Inspections for AFH Providers Presented by Maleia Press, Regulatory Support Director for the Adult Family Home Council This session provides Adult Family Home providers with a structured overview of the licensing inspection process, including explanations of changes coming to inspections. Participants will review each phase of the process in order, including the pre-inspection review, infection prevention and control review, entrance meeting, environmental tour, resident sample selection, staff and administrative records review, observations, medication services review, psychopharmacologic medication review, resident and representative interviews, provider interview, and exit conference. By clearly outlining how inspections unfold from start to finish, this training is designed to increase understanding, reduce uncertainty, and help providers approach licensing visits with preparation and confidence. 1.0 CEU available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | | Lacey Chapter Meeting
June 17 | 11:30AM – 1:30PM |
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| Topic: C.R.I.S.I.S: Working with Resistive/Combative Residents Presented by Jordan Drew, Continuum Health This training addresses effective and appropriate approaches for working with residents who exhibit resistive or combative behaviors. Participants will learn preventative strategies to reduce agitation by identifying and responding to environmental, communication, and personal triggers. The session emphasizes the importance of timely and accurate documentation of observed behaviors and interventions, as well as appropriate steps for pursuing medical or pharmacological support when non-pharmacological interventions are not effective. Guidance is also provided on responding to physical altercations in a manner that prioritizes safety, protects all vulnerable adults involved, and supports compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements. 1.0 CEU available to all AFH Council members who attend. |
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| | | Federal Way Chapter Meeting
June 18 | 12:30PM – 2:30PM |
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| Topic: AFH Digital Journey Presented by Wondy Degegu, Abigail Design This presentation is designed to educate Adult Family Home (AFH) providers on how families search for and select care in today’s digital environment and why a strong, modern online presence is essential for building trust, increasing visibility, and supporting stable occupancy. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how first impressions, website design, and credibility signals influence family decision-making, as well as the key components of a healthy, compliant AFH website. The session will address the importance of maintaining accurate and regularly updated content, optimizing and managing a Google Business Profile, and using visual storytelling to effectively communicate services and values. By the end of the training, attendees will understand practical, actionable steps to strengthen their digital presence in ways that support transparency, professionalism, and business sustainability within regulatory standards. 1.0 CEU 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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