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| | AFH COUNCIL UPDATES October 31st, 2025 |
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| | Executive Director Message |
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| | | | Dear Friends – What a wonderful and active week at the Adult Family Home council! Our Membership Support team (MJ & Kris) have been busy supporting our members (YOU!) in your calls to our office. The dedication of this team has been incredible to watch develop these past several months, and I couldn’t be prouder of how well they’ve helped hundreds of members with their informative and engaged support. The care they show to you, and for you, as members is the most heartening aspect of my work since I started here in July. My thanks to our stars, MJ and Kris, for their yesterday, today and tomorrow at the AFHC! This week we “re-opened” a dormant Bellevue chapter and welcomed a newly christened East King County Chapter lead by our own Annie Puchar, AFH Provider and member! We enjoyed a full room of attendees, a lunch from Ready Meds (QDOBA) that was incredibly yummy, an educating opportunity on caregiver care, and wonderful networking among friends. One of many favorite moments from the Chapter gathering was the shout-out our distinguished member Tim Cooke gave to MJ of our membership support team for help on his Redmond home questions. Thanks, Tim, for coming, and for your AFHC support! This newsletter will be published on Halloween – when several of our AFHC team members will be joining the Vancouver Chapter on Halloween at their costume event … and yes I will be the “Dread Pirate Robert(s)” (Princess Bride). My wishes go to all of you for a safe and fun Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos for those who celebrate (including my grandson Theo). Best to all of you and we’ll see and chat with you in November! -Bob |
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| | Home Care Aide Certification Deadline Extended to 365 Days Under Senate Bill 5672 |
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| The Department of Health has filed an emergency rule extending the Home Care Aide (HCA) certification deadline from 200 days to 365 days from the date of hire, as required by Senate Bill 5672. This change gives long-term care workers more time to complete certification, providing greater flexibility for both caregivers and employers. The 365-day extension applies to all workers hired on or before December 31, 2027, including those with pending applications or rehired staff. After that date, the certification timeline returns to 200 days. Read the full bulletin below along with other Dear Provider letters highlighting important updates for providers. |
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| | | | Evaluating the Effectiveness of Washington’s Home Care Aide Certification Initiative (I-1163) |
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| Reviewing whether the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163) Met its Goals. Washingtonians voted twice (most recently in 2011 through Initiative 1163) to protect vulnerable adults by establishing a home care aide certification. Consequently, most aspiring home care aides need to complete 75 hours of training and pass a separate exam to be certified. However, given the continuing shortage of long-term care workers in our state, some have questioned if this system of certification is achieving its intended results, and legislators have temporarily paused some requirements until the effects can be better understood. This audit will examine the success of this initiative and review the home care aide certification process to determine if any changes might be made to better meet the needs of home care aides and their clients. |
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| | | Planning Ahead: 2026 Chapter Meetings Speakers and Lunch Sponsors |
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| | As November approaches, the Adult Family Home Council is excited to begin planning the schedule of guest speakers and lunch sponsors for our upcoming chapter meetings in 2026. These meetings are a cornerstone for our community, offering valuable education, networking opportunities, and a chance to connect with fellow Adult Family Home providers, caregivers, and supporters. We are looking for Affiliate Business Partners (ABPs), members, or anyone in your network who might be interested in sponsoring lunch or sharing their expertise as a guest speaker at one of our chapter meetings. Sponsoring lunch or presenting gives you a unique opportunity to engage directly with our members and support the important work happening in Adult Family Homes across the state. If you or someone you know would like to participate, please reach out to Stacie at Stacie@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org. We encourage you to get in touch early — spots for speakers and lunch sponsorships are limited and fill up quickly. Help us make 2026’s chapter meetings informative, engaging, and memorable for all attendees! |
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| | | DOH Listening Sessions and Rules Workshops – SHB 1142 & SB 5672 |
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| The Department of Health’s Home Care Aide Program has announced public workshops to discuss implementation of SHB 1142 and SB 5672, passed during the 2025 legislative session. SHB 1142 clarifies training requirements for in-home caregivers who are exempt from certification. SB 5672 extends certification timelines for long-term care workers from 200 days to 365 days (or 425 with provisional certification) through December 2027. The department will host an online sessions to gather feedback and guide rule development for chapter 246-980 WAC: Nov. 3. 2:30–4:00 PM– Finalizing rule details Please register using the links on our event page for the workshop dates that work best for you. |
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| | | | 2025 Board Nominations Are Now Open! |
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| Each year, one-third of the AFH Council’s 11-member Executive Board—representing regions across Washington—is up for re-election. The Board plays a crucial role in guiding the Council’s mission, supporting and overseeing the executive director, ensuring effective planning and resource management, monitoring programs and services, and maintaining the Council’s public image and ethical standards. This year, four positions are open for re-election: Region Three Delegate (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom)
Region Six Delegate (Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, and Wahkiakum)
Nominations are required and must be submitted by November 13, 2025. Only AFH Council members in good standing may nominate or be nominated. Once nominations close, submissions will be reviewed, and official voting will take place from December 8–31, 2025. Each member home will receive one ballot. New Board members will be announced in January 2026.
For details on Board member responsibilities and qualifications, see below or contact the Adult Family Home Council at 360-754-3329 or info@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org. |
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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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| Keep Your Home Visible: Tips for Updating Your Home on the Home Finder |
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| Keeping your adult family home listing up-to-date on the Home Finder is essential for attracting new residents and making sure your community stands out. A current listing helps families find the right fit quickly and ensures your home is accurately represented online. Tips for Great Photos Using Your Phone: Highlight key areas: Show bedrooms, common spaces, bathrooms, and any special amenities that make your home special
Once your photos are ready, uploading them to your listing is simple! Check out this step-by-step video guide to help you update your Home Finder listing. Keeping your listing fresh not only showcases your home at its best but also helps families feel confident in choosing your care. If you need more help or would like tips on how to better market your home please reach out to alexandria@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org |
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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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