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AFH COUNCIL UPDATES

August 7th, 2026

Message from the Executive Director

Washington’s budget shortfall is affecting collective bargaining with the State. Despite rising operating costs, workforce pressures, and the increased labor costs following the Bolina v. AssureCare decision, the State is not currently proposing an increase to the Adult Family Home base daily rate for 2027 or 2028.

AFHC has made the case that providers cannot continue absorbing higher costs without reimbursement that reflects the actual cost of care. Adult Family Homes provide essential, community-based care while saving the State money compared with more restrictive and costly settings.

Because the State’s current position does not adequately recognize these realities, AFHC will take the matter to arbitration. We will present the evidence, advocate strongly for providers and the people they serve, and ask a neutral arbitrator to decide.

Your work matters. Your voice matters. Together, we will continue making clear that Washington cannot afford to overlook the value of Adult Family Homes.

Help Document the Impact on Adult Family Homes

The Senate Ways and Means Committee has asked the Adult Family Home Council to help estimate how many adult family homes and live-in caregiver employees may be affected by the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Bolina v. AssureCare.

Your response will help AFHC evaluate the potential financial and operational effects on providers, employees, Medicaid residents, and the adult family home system. The information will support related legislative, budget, collective bargaining, and policy efforts.

Important Survey Instructions

Please submit one separate response for each licensed adult family home you own or operate.

• If you operate one licensed home, submit one response.

• If you operate multiple licensed homes, submit a separate response for each home.

• Do not combine information from multiple homes.

• Do not include employee or resident names, medical information, wage records, Social Security numbers, or other personally identifiable information.

Survey responses will be treated as confidential and reported only in aggregate. AFHC will not share provider-identifying information or individual responses outside the organization without first consulting the provider and receiving permission.

This survey is not a legal compliance audit. A response does not determine whether any period is compensable or whether a provider owes wages.

Your participation will help AFHC present a clearer picture of how this decision may affect adult family homes across Washington.

Learn more about the survey and how information will be used.

WA Supreme Court Ruling:

What You Can Do Now

Following the recent Washington Supreme Court ruling, AFHC is asking providers to:

• Complete the Live-in Care Impact Survey.

• Prepare a brief provider impact statement.

• Join or renew their AFHC membership.

• Organize and preserve employment and payroll records.

• Watch for the upcoming statewide provider sign-on letter.

Every survey response helps AFHC demonstrate the ruling’s statewide impact. Please submit one response for each licensed home you own or operate.

Fall Conference 2026

Ticket Registration is Open!

Join providers, industry professionals, agency representatives, and community partners for two days of education, connection, and practical learning.

Conference sessions will explore topics such as:

• The Washington Supreme Court ruling concerning live-in caregiver exemptions, featuring perspectives from public labor agencies and legal professionals including, Seattle Litigation Group

• Marketing to specific customer groups and reaching the people your home is best equipped to serve

• Strategies for enhancing quality of care

• Regulatory compliance and preparing for changing requirements with guest speakers from RCS

AFHC will also provide recommended learning tracks for attendees seeking more in-depth education in specific subject areas.

Additional speakers, sessions, and learning opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Please note: The Thursday ticket and the 2-Day ticket include the Thursday night Buffet Dinner.

Put Your Organization in Front of Washington’s Adult Family Home Community

Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities are still available for the AFHC 2026 Fall Conference, taking place September 24–25, 2026, at Tulalip Resort in Marysville.

This two-day conference is expected to welcome approximately 600 attendees, with venue capacity for up to 700 people. The event will also include a special Thursday evening dinner as AFHC celebrates 30 years of supporting and advocating for adult family home providers.

Participating organizations can:

• Connect directly with providers and industry professionals

• Build awareness of products and services that support adult family homes

• Strengthen relationships within Washington’s long-term care community

• Demonstrate support for AFHC’s mission and provider education

Two new sponsorship opportunities are available for our Thursday evening dinner:

• Dinner Buffet Sponsor: $7,000
  Four sponsorships remain.

• Dinner Table Sponsor: $550
  Forty-three table sponsorships remain.

Sponsorship opportunities include:

• Presenting Sponsor: SOLD OUT

• Platinum Sponsor: $9,000 (2 Remaining)

• Gold Sponsor: $5,000 (3 Remaining)

• Silver Sponsor: $1,500

Vendor tables are also available. Sponsorships and vendor participation are separate from conference admission, and availability is limited.

Stay Connected With AFHC by Text

AFHC members can now receive important updates, event reminders, and time-sensitive information by text message.

Choose either option to sign up:

Text AFHC to 1-360-208-0913

Follow the confirmation prompt to complete your opt-in.

Or Sign up online:

Signing up helps ensure you receive important information wherever you are, even when you cannot check your email.

Please note that subscribing to AFHC emails does not automatically enroll you in text messages. You must opt in separately.

Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe.

H.R. 1 Federal Changes

Non-Citizens in Adult Family Homes: What AFH Providers Need to Know

Beginning October 1, 2026, federal changes under H.R. 1 will restrict access to federally funded Apple Health Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) for some non-citizen residents.

Residents who may be affected include individuals with refugee, asylee, trafficking-survivor, Ukrainian humanitarian parolee, or certain other humanitarian-protection statuses. DSHS has advised that affected residents will receive information about these changes and should report any change in immigration or citizenship status to DSHS.

State-Funded Services for AFH Residents

AFHC requested additional clarification from DSHS regarding the impact of H.R. 1 on residents living in adult family homes.

DSHS has advised that affected AFH residents who are currently receiving Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports will continue to receive services through available state funding when the federal changes take effect.

The agency is still working through the operational details of the state-funded model. As soon as we know more, we will provide that information.

Funding and Implementation

The Legislature appropriated funding to address a portion of impact of non-citizen residents in long-term care facilities. DSHS has explained that the available funding is limited and that the long-term availability of state-funded services remains uncertain.

The state is developing an emergency rule for implementation by October 1, 2026, and expects to begin permanent rulemaking shortly thereafter. From our understanding, there should not be proposed changes to AFH reimbursement, service limits, provider documentation, training, or other administrative requirements once the state funding gets rolled out.

AFHC will continue to monitor the rulemaking process, implementation details, and funding developments and will advocate for clear communication and continuity of services for affected AFH residents.

Spokane Wildfire Update

AFHC stands with Adult Family Homes affected by the Spokane wildfires. Providers should continue following local safety instructions and report evacuations or significant operational disruptions to DSHS Residential Care Services.

Our updated resource page includes reporting instructions, recovery assistance, air-quality information, and ways to contact AFHC Member Support.

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Your Staff

We get questions every day about TB requirements for new hires. Here is a breakdown of what the WAC requires for new hires – whether they have tested positive previously or got a recent test before hire, there are a few steps to consider.

TB tests are required within three (3) days of hire and can be done via skin (intradermal) test or blood test (IGRAs). The two main types of IGRAs are QuantiFERON-TB Gold and T-SPOT.TB.

Even if an employee was tested a week ago or for another job (and it was more than 3 days ago), but their hire date is today, they will still need another TB test.

Not Receiving DSHS Provider Letters?

Some providers have shared that they are no longer receiving DSHS Provider and Administrator Letter emails.

These messages are distributed through DSHS’s email update system and are separate from the AFHC newsletter mailing list. AFHC cannot add or restore subscribers to the DSHS list, but providers can subscribe or review their preferences directly through DSHS.

To sign up:

1. Select the link below.

2. Choose Email and enter your contact information.

3. Follow the prompts to select updates related to Adult Family Homes and other topics you would like to receive.

4. Review and save your subscription preferences.

Providers can also visit the DSHS Provider and Administrator Letters webpage to search for current and past Adult Family Home provider letters.

New DDA Information Hub for Adult Family Home Providers

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has launched a new online information hub for Adult Family Home and Assisted Living Facility providers.

The hub brings DDA-related information and provider resources together in one convenient location, making it easier to find guidance relevant to supporting residents with developmental disabilities. Providers serving DDA clients are encouraged to bookmark the page and check back regularly for updates.

Updated Worker Safety Awareness Program

The updated Worker Safety Awareness Program offers flexible, self-paced training to help adult family home providers and caregivers prevent workplace injuries and understand L&I safety requirements.

The e-Course includes 43 interactive micro-modules covering PPE, ergonomics, hazardous drugs, and other workplace hazards. Each module takes 15 minutes or less, and participants who complete the program and pass all four quizzes can earn continuing education credits. The training is available to all learners, regardless of AFHC membership.

We Are Hiring

The Adult Family Home Council is hiring for two key leadership positions that will strengthen our ability to serve providers and support the adult family home community across Washington: a Finance and Operations Manager and a Marketing and Outreach Manager.

These roles reflect AFHC’s continued growth and the increasing need for strong internal systems and proactive outreach to families, caregivers, and referral partners. Both positions are full‑time, in‑person roles based in Tumwater, Washington, with competitive salary and benefits.

Get Registered!  

Upcoming Webinars

Upcoming Chapter Meetings

Mountlake Terrace Chapter

08/12/2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Mountlake Terrace Library

23300 58th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

Connect and grow with your community! Meet us in Mountlake Terrace for free lunch, valuable networking opportunities with local providers and affiliates, and earn CE credits while gaining insights to boost efficiency in your AFH!

Kent Chapter

08/14/2026 | 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Kent Senior Center

600 E Smith St, Kent, WA 98030, USA

Connect and grow with your community! Meet us in Mountlake Terrace for free lunch, valuable networking opportunities with local providers and affiliates, and earn CE credits while gaining insights to boost efficiency in your AFH!

Don’t See Your Chapter?

Click below to go to our events page to see all upcoming chapter meetings.

AFH Council Online Campus Registration

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.

Interested in Presenting or Sponsoring?

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.

Stay Up-To-Date with Our Upcoming Events and Webinars!

P: 1.360.754.3329   |   F: 1.360.943.6653   |   T: 1.888.439.8999

3309 Capitol Blvd. SW Ste 1, Tumwater, WA 98501