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AFH COUNCIL UPDATES

JULY 18, 2025

Message From Executive Director

Friends – A very happy (and hot) weekly greetings to each and all! It’s been a busy “first full week” for me in my new role, and my thanks to all of you for the kind welcome messages and for the opportunity to work with and for all of you. I had the opportunity to join an engaged meeting of members at our incredible Lacey Chapter on Wednesday! If you’ve not met Amy Degon (our amazing Lacey Chapter Coordinator), as I hadn’t, you’re in for a wonderful surprise. Amy brings AFH Community engagement to a new level of excellence. It was an honor for me to meet with so many outstanding AFH providers, from House of Blessing AFH Yelm to the John Charles AFH in Olympia (in my neighborhood), showing our quality of care and of ownership.   

 

Our family of AFHs is a strong family, with lasting bonds among us. Our industry, and our businesses, become stronger as we network and share our work with our partner AFHs who can help with referrals, tips, and support. Let’s commit ourselves to building those bonds in our community, and chapters, and YOUR AFHC will lead and foster the growth of those bonds, the level of outreach, and the support here at AFHC Headquarters to respond to your inquiries. The staff team and I at the AFHC is engaged, excited and ready to support you – and we thank YOU for the opportunity!

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUMMER HAZARDS

Dear Provider:  Summer around Washington poses a variety of hazards that can be especially impactful to longterm care settings, including extreme heat, wildfires, wildfire smoke, and power disruptions. As we enter the summer season, it is imperative to be prepared for these activities. This can include reviewing emergency plans, conducting emergency exercises, procuring equipment & supplies, and preparing your facilities. It is recommended you begin preparing for the season now, before the full impacts are seen.  The purpose of this letter is to provide an overview of the hazards facing Washington State throughout the summer. In 2024, a series of Dear Provider Letters were distributed that went into details on these hazards, as well as steps your facility can take to prepare. Links to each of these letters will be included in each section.


Need help with CBHS services? We’re here to help!

Do you have questions about how to bill for Community Behavioral Health Support (CBHS) services? Or maybe questions about how to contract with the managed care organizations (MCO). Are you having trouble and not sure where to turn for help?


Chocking Prevention

choking pic

Reminder: Two-Part Choking Video Series and Choking Care Provider Bulletin

Do you know the top causes of choking and how to respond if it happens to someone you care for? Check out our care provider bulletin and two short videos on choking prevention and first aid.

Read our Choking Care Provider Bulletin to learn more about: 

  • Common foods that people choke on.

  • Common causes of choking.

  • How to tell if someone might be choking.

  • Choking first aid for adults and infants.

Watch our two-part video series to test your choking knowledge and learn how to do abdominal thrusts, featuring DDCS staff Michael Rogers and Will Nichol. Click the links below to watch the videos.


Fall Conference Reminder

It’s that exciting time of year again! We are thrilled to announce the 2025 Adult Family Home Council Fall Conference, taking place on Thursday and Friday, September 25 and 26 at the beautiful Tulalip Resort in Marysville, WA. Our theme this year is “Road to Transformation.”

Registration will open soon. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your emails!

Training Opportunities

Trauma Informed Care Training: Part One – 07/23/2025 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Yakima Chapter Meeting – 07/23/2025 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Mountlake Terrace Chapter Meeting – 07/23/2025 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Vancouver Chapter Meeting  – 07/25/2025 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Trauma Informed Care Part Two – 07/28/2025 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

AFH Employer’s Guide to Worker Rights presented by L&I and Department of Labor – 07/29/2025 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

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, Tumwater, WA 98501

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.