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AFH COUNCIL UPDATES November 7th, 2025 |
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Executive Director Message |
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Dear Friends – This week, as every week, I am very thankful and incredibly fortunate for my Adult Family “work partners” at the AFHC! Yesterday, our team members Alexandria Brown, Stacie Thyrion and Suaad Laari led such an informative and fun Statewide Chapter meeting while the Exec Director (aka “Uncle Bob”) was AWL – absent with leave. We had 184 people attend and that level of engagement (and from what I hear, the great energy in the room) was very impressive. This week and yesterday I was preparing for/in hearing before the Public Employment Relations Commission on our unfair labor practice case. Without a hitch, Alexandria, Stacie, and Suaad led our meeting so well that folks won’t be saying “what about Bob” – they’re saying “How about Alexandria, Stacie and Suaad”! We’ll share more about the PERC hearing process and results in our update next week – meantime, thank you all for being on our Statewide Chapter call with the AFHC Team of bright new stars. They shine brightly for you, because you as AFH providers shine brightly for us – every single day! -Bob |
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Clarifying TUBERCULOSIS REQUIREMENTS for Adult Family Homes |
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RCS is clarifying TB requirements for AFHs. All new hires must be tested for TB within 3 days of hire. Employees with a prior positive TB test or treatment history do not need repeat testing, but documentation and risk assessment must be maintained. For those who received the BCG vaccine, a TB blood test (IGRA) is recommended. Providers are responsible for infection control, ensuring evaluations are complete, and monitoring staff for TB symptoms. Read the Dear Provider letter below |
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2025 Board Nominations Are Open! |
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Exciting news! The current nominations for AFHC Board member positions are live! Check out who has been nominated so far! There’s still time to make your voice heard—nominations will close next week, so don’t wait to submit yours! Region Three Delegate Region Six Delegate Scott Naegle Damaris Awungshi
Region Seven Delegate At Large Delegate Deniece McCune Tammy Stimach
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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 Tuesday, 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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| | | Our Member Support team is currently moving through a staffing transition, and during this period response times may be slightly slower than what you are used to. We want to be transparent about this so you know what to expect and so you never feel unsure about whether your questions and concerns are being seen. They are. We receive and respond to every call, message, and email, and we care deeply about supporting you. Our commitment to our members remains the same. We will make sure you receive the assistance you need. It may simply take us a little more time than usual over the next several weeks while we get new team members onboarded and settled. Thank you for your patience, grace, and understanding during this time of transition. We are grateful for the work you do and are honored to support you in caring for your residents. |
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| Emergency Rules Filed for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Program |
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| Emergency rules have been filed under Chapter 388-106H WAC to launch the new Washington State Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Program, which provides services such as housing support, nutrition assistance, caregiver respite, and environmental accessibility adaptations. These temporary rules allow the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to begin offering HRSN services immediately under the federal 1115 Medicaid waiver and ESSB 5187, while permanent rules are developed. The emergency filing ensures compliance with federal requirements and preserves state funding for these critical services. |
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| Coming Soon: Member Survey |
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| As we come to the end of the year, we want to take time to reflect on where the AFH Council has been most successful in serving our members, so that we can carry that success forward into the year ahead. We also want to thoughtfully identify the areas where we can grow and strengthen our work. To support that effort, we will be sending out a brief survey asking for your input in three core areas of our work: education, support, and marketing. Your feedback will help guide our priorities and planning as we continue improving the resources, guidance, and assistance we provide to AFH’s across Washington. We recognize that your time is limited and valuable. Thank you in advance for taking a few moments to share your perspective with us. Your input makes a meaningful difference. |
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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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| Proudly Supporting Our Members in October |
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| Happy November! We are incredibly proud of the work our team accomplished in October. Over the month, we served 322 unique members and provided 745 total supports, averaging 30 supports per day. Our efforts spanned a wide range of services—from assisting with DSHS needs, clarifying WAC policies, and helping with citations, to supporting client issues, transfers, and behavioral challenges. We also helped members with membership questions, CE/LMS support, and marketing guidance, and added 35 members into the Cornerstone LMS to expand access to training and resources. Seeing the tangible impact of these efforts on our community fills us with gratitude and pride, and we look forward to continuing to support our members with dedication in the months ahead! |
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| Protect Your Staff and Residents with ReadyMeds Pharmacy Vaccination Clinics |
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| Stay Safe. Stay Protected. Get Vaccinated with Ready Meds Pharmacy! Ready Meds Pharmacy is committed to keeping your residents and staff healthy and protected all year round. We come to you! Our licensed vaccination team provides on-site clinic even if we don’t currently service your facility. Let’s work together to keep your community safe and healthy! Forms can be found online at ReadyMedsPharmacy.com/forms or call us today to schedule your vaccination clinic or learn more. 877-425-6337 Ready Meds Pharmacy Your trusted partner in care and protection. |
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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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