| | AFH COUNCIL UPDATES July 31th, 2026 |
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| | Message from the Executive Director |
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| AFHC recognizes the concern and uncertainty surrounding the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Bolina v. AssureCare. The Court ruled that the former live-in worker exemption is unconstitutional as applied to live-in caregivers working in adult family homes. The case has returned to Superior Court, and whether payment obligations will apply retroactively remains unresolved. AFHC is gathering provider data to support discussions with legislators, state agencies, labor partners, and the Governor’s Office. Providers are encouraged to complete the AFHC impact survey, which examines: The number of homes and caregivers affected Potential staffing and payroll costs Effects on Medicaid residents, admissions, licensed beds, and home viability The potential consequences of retroactive payment requirements
AFHC is also developing training and guidance to help providers understand compensable work time, scheduling, minimum wage and overtime requirements, and employment recordkeeping. |
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| | Please complete the survey and encourage other providers to participate. Your experiences will be essential to AFHC’s advocacy and response. |
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| Adult Family Home Live-in Care Impact Survey |
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| The Senate Ways and Means Committee has asked AFHC for information about how adult family homes and live-in caregivers may be affected by the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Bolina v. AssureCare. Whether any payment obligations will apply retroactively or only prospectively remains unresolved. AFHC’s confidential survey will help estimate: The number of homes and live-in caregivers potentially affected Possible staffing, financial, and operational impacts Effects on Medicaid residents and the adult family home system Potential impacts if the ruling is applied retroactively
Please submit one separate response for each licensed adult family home you own or operate. Do not combine information from multiple homes. Survey results will be reported only in aggregate. Provider-identifying information will not be shared externally without consultation and permission. Please do not include employee or resident names, medical information, individual wage records, or other personally identifiable information. Complete the Adult Family Home Live-In Caregiver Impact Survey: |
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| | Fall Conference 2026Applications |
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| Sponsorships, Vendor Registration,and our Call for Speakers are open! |
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| Join us as we celebrate 30 years of resilience at the 2026 Adult Family Home Council Fall Conference, taking place Thursday and Friday, September 24–25, at the beautiful Tulalip Resort in Marysville, Washington. Centered around 30 Years of Voice, Value, and Vision, this year’s conference honors the strength of adult family home providers, the value they bring to long-term care, and our shared vision for the future of care in Washington State. With nearly 600 providers expected to attend, there are several ways to participate, including sponsorship opportunities, vendor registration, and our Call for Speakers. Call for Speakers Closes Today! To learn more and access all opportunities in one place, visit our conference news page: |
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| | Attending Registration is Scheduledfor August 5th 2026 |
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| Subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media pages to receive the latest conference updates and be notified when registration opens. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you at the 2026 Fall Conference! |
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| AFHC Board Appoints Braiden Dobson to Vacant Seat |
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| AFHC is pleased to welcome Braiden Dobson as Interim Region 6 Director on the Board of Directors, filling the vacancy previously held by Michelle Simmons. Braiden has owned and operated an adult family home specializing in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental |
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| Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Your Staff |
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| 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. |
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| Not Receiving DSHS Provider Letters? |
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| 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: Select the link below. Choose Email and enter your contact information. Follow the prompts to select updates related to Adult Family Homes and other topics you would like to receive. Review and save your subscription preferences.
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| | Providers can also visit the DSHS Provider and Administrator Letters webpage to search for current and past Adult Family Home provider letters. |
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| New DDA Information Hub for Adult Family Home Providers |
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| 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. |
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| RCS AFH Pilot for Facility Reported Incidents |
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| Residential Care Services has launched a six-month pilot in Region 1 to test offsite reviews of select medium- and low-level facility-reported incidents that do not require an onsite investigation. Providers should continue submitting initial reports through the Online Incident Reporting portal. Participating providers are also asked to submit a follow-up form within five working days of the initial report. Training materials, reporting guidance, and additional resources are available in the full article. |
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| Updated Worker Safety Awareness Program |
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| 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. |
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| | 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. |
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| Get Registered! Upcoming Webinars |
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| | | AFHC-Hosted Adult Family Home Claims & Billing Webinar
08/03/2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
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| This webinar is hosted by the Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) and taught by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) team. The session introduces the new Adult Family Home Clearinghouse, designed to simplify how AFHs work with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations. Participants will learn how the system works, how to register for and use the online platform, and how to accurately submit claims for CBHS and IBSS services. The training will also cover provider enrollment, key Medicaid billing guidelines, and common troubleshooting tips to help providers navigate the new process with confidence. |
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| 2.0 CEUs available to all AFHC members who attend. |
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| | 2026 Policies and Procedures Training Series, Session 3: Rates and Payments08/04/2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM |
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| This training series provides up-to-date information on policies and procedures related to services residents may receive through Washington State’s Home and Community Living Administration. Presented by subject matter experts from Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) and Home and Community Services (HCS), each session focuses on key areas that impact adult family home operations, including eligibility, rates and payments, nursing services, and other essential program requirements. Participants will gain practical insight into how these policies affect care, documentation, and service coordination for residents receiving state-supported services. |
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| 1.5 CEU available to all who attend. |
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| Upcoming Chapter Meetings |
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| | | No Chapter Meetings for the Week of August 3-7 |
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| No chapter meetings are scheduled or have been canceled to the week of August 3-7 2026. |
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| | | Click below to go to our events page to see all upcoming chapter meetings. |
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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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