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AFH COUNCIL UPDATES November 14th, 2025 |
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Executive Director Message |
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Dear Friends – We want to take a moment to say thank you. Every day, you make an incredible difference in the lives of the people you serve. You open your homes, your hearts, and your time to provide care, safety, and dignity for Washington’s most vulnerable residents. Your dedication is the reason our work at the Adult Family Home Council matters. We see this dedication firsthand every day, in the home visits we do as a team and in the calls that come in to our Member Support Specialists, and it continually fuels our desire to do meaningful work for you. We’re grateful for the trust you place in us to support you, advocate for you, and help you navigate the challenges of running an AFH. It’s a privilege to each of us to serve such a caring and committed community of providers. From all of us at AFHC, thank you for everything you do. You are the heart of this system, and we appreciate you more than we can say. Warmly, The AFHC Team Please note: The Executive Director will be out of the office for a long weekend and will return on Monday. We appreciate your patience during this time. |
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| 2025 Board Nominations Are Closed |
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| Exciting news! The latest nominations for AFHC Board member positions are now live. Please note that these reflect only the most recent nominations received and are not a complete list of all nominations. Region Three Delegate Region Six Delegate Region Seven Delegate At Large Delegate All individuals nominated will be reviewed before December 8, and those who qualify pursuant to AFHC Board requirements will be placed on the December election e-ballot. Our thanks to all who participated in this process already! Nominations are now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated! |
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| | | Our Member Support team is currently undergoing a staffing transition. During this period, response times may be slightly longer than usual. We want to be transparent so you can have confidence that your inquiries are being seen—they are. If all phone lines are in use, calls will go to voicemail. Please leave a message, as this is the most reliable way for us to know you require assistance. We review and respond to every call, message, and email, and remain fully committed to supporting our members. Our dedication to providing you with the assistance you need remains unchanged. While response times may be temporarily extended as new team members are onboarded, we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding. We value the work you do and are honored to support you in caring for your residents. |
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Get Early Access to WA Cares Fund Through Pilot Program |
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Washington’s WA Cares Fund is launching a pilot program in select counties starting January 2026. This program helps Washington workers plan for long-term care services like in-home support, meals, and assistance with daily activities. The pilot is open to residents of Lewis, Mason, Spokane, and Thurston counties who meet contribution requirements. Participants will help test the program ahead of the statewide rollout on July 1, 2026. If you’re eligible, this is a chance to access long-term care benefits early and provide feedback to help shape the program. Applications open January 6, 2026 and will run through February 28, 2026, or until pilot spots are filled. |
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| | Don’t Miss the Fall Issue of Health Home Herald! |
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| The latest edition of the Health Home Herald from the Washington Department of Social and Health Services is out now! This newsletter is a great resource for staying up-to-date on programs and services that support home and community living. Inside this issue, you’ll find: Check out all of this and more by reading the full newsletter below. |
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Upcoming Webinar: Understanding Your Respirator Written Program |
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Keeping staff and residents safe requires clear procedures and compliance with state and federal safety standards. In this upcoming webinar, participants will learn the fundamentals of developing and maintaining an effective Respirator Written Program. The session will cover why every facility needs a written program, the essential elements that must be included, and where to find reliable resources to stay compliant with respirator rules and regulations. This is a great opportunity for providers to ensure their safety practices meet current requirements and protect their teams. This webinar will be held on November 20th, 2025 at 2:00 PM |
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Is Your AFH Not Showing in the Home Finder? Here’s the Fix! |
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If you’ve noticed that your Adult Family Home isn’t appearing in the Home Finder, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many providers run into this issue when they forget to update their listing, and the solution is simple! To make sure your home shows up for families searching for care, you need to confirm that your availability is correctly listed in your profile. Here’s how: 1. Log in to your account. 2. Go to your profile by clicking on “My Account” on the right-hand side. 3. You’ll be taken to “Home Details.” Update the slider labeled “I have beds available” to reflect your current availability. Once you’ve done this, your AFH will appear in the Home Finder, ensuring families can see that you’re ready to welcome new residents. Keeping your profile up-to-date is the easiest way to connect with families in need of care—don’t let a simple setting hide your home from those who need it most! |
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HCLA-RCS 2025 Fall AFH Forum |
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Home and Community Living Administration Division of Residential Care Services is hosting their Fall 2025 AFH Forum on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM. Join us for a conversation with your local RCS staff! These forums are designed to improve communication and give you the opportunity to meet your Field Manager, ask questions, and stay informed about important topics affecting Adult Family Homes. Agenda: Register Today to stay connected, informed, and engaged with your local RCS staff – your trusted advocates for Adult Family Homes. |
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A Season of Thanks (and a Short Break!) |
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| With the holidays right around the corner, some chapters will be taking a short break from their regular meetings. Before you head to your next chapter gathering, be sure to check your local schedule to see if your meeting is happening or paused for the holiday season. This is a great time to relax, connect with loved ones, and reflect on the year, while staying up-to-date with your chapter’s schedule so you don’t miss any upcoming events. Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday season! |
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AFHC Trainings and Events |
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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, Tumwater, WA 98501 |
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