Several items in this week’s newsletter require provider action. Please review the information below and complete each action item that applies to your home.
Help Make Sure Every AFH Is Counted
The Senate Ways and Means Committee has asked AFHC to estimate how many adult family homes and live-in caregivers may be affected by the Bolina v. AssureCare decision.
Please complete one response for each licensed AFH you own or operate. Do not combine multiple homes into one response.
Responses are confidential and reported only in aggregate. The results will support AFHC’s legislative, budget, bargaining, and policy efforts.
Your response helps decision-makers understand the full impact on providers, employees, and Medicaid residents.
Attorneys representing adult family home providers have prepared a letter addressing the effects of the Bolina v. AssureCare decision. Providers may read the letter and request to be considered as a signatory.
Important: AFHC is not a party to the litigation and cannot provide legal advice or representation. Submitting the form does not guarantee inclusion or create an attorney-client relationship.
HCA and DSHS will contact certain Apple Health providers to complete an off-cycle revalidation. This federally required process confirms that provider enrollment information and credentials remain accurate.
For Medicaid-contracted AFHs, DSHS will email affected providers with the required materials, deadline, and contact information. This process does not create a new contract, and payments will continue normally during revalidation.
What to do:
Make sure your provider contact information is current.
Watch for an email from HCA or DSHS.
Follow the instructions and deadline in your notice.
Do not ignore the request—failure to complete it could affect enrollment or your Medicaid contract.
Federal changes under H.R. 1 will affect Apple Health eligibility, including coverage for some people receiving long-term care services and supports.
The Washington State Health Care Authority will host a webinar addressing new work requirements and impacts for noncitizens. This may be especially relevant to providers and organizations that help individuals navigate Apple Health applications and coverage.
Registration for the 2026 Fall Conference is currently focused on Washington’s adult family home provider community.
At this time:
Licensed adult family home providers may register at the applicable member or nonmember rate. A valid AFH license number is required.
Individuals actively working toward opening or licensing an adult family home should contact AFHC before registering. Current AFHC membership will be required in these situations.
Affiliate Business Partners and other industry professionals should contact AFHC to discuss available sponsorship, exhibitor, or attendance opportunities rather than purchasing a provider ticket.
These requirements help preserve conference space for providers and ensure a valuable educational and networking experience for everyone attending. Additional attendance options may be considered as capacity allows.
The 2026 Fall Conference will be held September 24–25 at Tulalip Resort in Marysville.
Questions about eligibility? Please contact AFHC before purchasing a ticket.
Attendee Ticket Pricing
2026 AFHC Fall Conference
Ticket
Member Price
Non-Member Price
Thursday Pass September 24, 2026
$250
$400
Friday Pass September 25, 2026
$210
$300
Two-Day Pass September 24–25, 2026
$350
$500
Member pricing requires a current AFHC membership and valid adult family home license.
Your adult family home is part of the story we are celebrating at this year’s Fall Conference.
For $550, an AFH can sponsor a table during Thursday’s Buffet Dinner and create a dedicated space to gather with team members, colleagues, and professional partners.
Each Dinner Table Sponsorship includes:
A designated sponsored dinner table
Reserved seating for up to 10 properly registered attendees
Your AFH or organization’s name displayed at the table
Limited placement of approved brochures, business cards, signage, or small promotional items
Use your table to recognize your team, celebrate your home’s work, welcome colleagues, and take part in an evening honoring 30 years of resilience in Washington’s adult family home community.
Conference registration and dinner admission are not included. Everyone seated at the table must have valid admission to Thursday’s dinner.
Book by September 9: Fall Conference hotel deadline
Fall Conference hotel deadline approaching
Planning to stay at Tulalip Resort during the 2026 AFHC Fall Conference?
Reserve your room by Wednesday, September 9, 2026, to receive the AFHC group rate. After the deadline, unreserved rooms will be released back to the hotel, and the discounted rate will no longer be available.
Rooms may sell out before the deadline, so we encourage you to book early.
Staying overnight?
Book your room now!
Nearby Marysville and Tulalip hotel options for event guests. Rates and room availability are subject to change.
Group rate: $139/night Wednesday and Thursday; $199/night Friday
Online booking closes: September 9, 2026, or earlier if the room block sells out
Need different dates? Call reservations. Additional dates may be added based on availability. Once the contracted room allotment is used, requests must be made by phone. Book Tulalip Resort
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marysville by IHG Marysville, WA
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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.
Registration Is Open for the 2026 Candidate Forums
Hear directly from candidates and help bring adult family home issues into the conversation.
AFHC Candidate Forums give providers an opportunity to learn about candidates’ priorities, hear how they would approach issues affecting adult family homes, and strengthen relationships with future policymakers.
Registration is now open for forums across Washington:
Question surveys will begin opening soon, giving providers an opportunity to suggest questions for candidates. Watch for the survey serving your area and register now for your local forum.
Help Shape Member Support at the
Fall Conference 2026
What questions would you like AFHC Member Support to address at the 2026 Fall Conference?
Submit your general questions about membership, event registration, website accounts, continuing education records, AFHC resources, or finding the right support. Your responses will help the Member Support team identify common concerns and prepare useful answers for conference attendees.
Questions may be combined, paraphrased, or answered anonymously during the conference or in a follow-up resource.
Please do not include resident names, employee information, health information, or other confidential details. If you need help with an active or time-sensitive issue, contact Member Support directly rather than waiting for the conference.
The Washington State Health Care Authority is pursuing one statewide mail-order vendor for incontinence and urological supplies provided to Apple Health fee-for-service clients. AFHC is urging HCA to pause the proposal and work with providers, residents and existing suppliers to protect product choice, continuity of care and timely access.
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.
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.
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.
AFH Provider Quarterly Connection With HCLA HCS & DDA: September 2026
09/01/2026 | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Presented by HCLA HCS & DDA Leadership
You are cordially invited to participate in the next Quarterly AFH Connection Meeting to learn about important topics of provider interest, provider updates and education. Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) are excited about our continued collaboration with the Adult Family Home Council.
Beyond Surviving: Reclaiming Identity through Mental Health Recovery
09/02/2026 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The training introduces behavior modification for individuals living with severe mental illness, including observing behavior, modifying problematic behaviors, documenting behaviors, assessing behavior, identifying person-centered interventions, and tracking changes.
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.
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.
Join the Network of More Than 2,400 Adult Family Homes Today!
Not a Member Yet?
Membership fees enable the Council to cover legal expenses and fund staff to advocate with the state and regulatory agencies. The participation of every adult family home is vital to ensuring fair regulations and rates that accurately reflect the costs of caring for our vulnerable adults. Consider becoming a member of the Council to help us continue improving conditions for all adult family homes in Washington State.
