Washington State Residential Care Council 2014-2015 Accomplishments and Highlights

  • Successfully negotiated a 10% Medicaid Rate increase over the 2015-2017 biennium
  • Protected specialty contracts in adult family homes serving residents living with HIV/AIDS
  • Taken legal action (pending) to require providers are properly reimbursed for:
    • Residents requiring a two person assist
    • Residents requiring awake staff at night
    • Residents with mood and behavioral issues
    • Transportation and escorts for residents
    • AFH serving high Medicaid percentages
  • Won a legal decision ensuring AFH providers serving state funded residents through a managed care organization are eligible for protection and rate increases under the AFHC collective bargaining contract
  • Hosted 10 legislator meet and greets with AFH providers across the state to share the issues affecting AFH owners
  • Through legislative action, changed the law to improve the change of ownership process for adult family home providers
  • Through legislative action, changed the law to improve the due process for adult family home providers appealing regulatory citations
  • Improved relationships between adult family home providers and Residential Care Services
  • Delivered a list of concerns from AFH providers to Residential Care Services leadership
  • Hosted six chapter meeting with RCS leadership
  • Invited to participate in RCS quality assurance review
  • Provided training to members through twelve chapter locations (12 CE hours are available from each chapter)
  • Provided the annual fall two day conference for adult family home owners and staff (11.5 hours of CE)
  • Provided seven one day conferences in various locations around the state (5-8 hours of CE each)
  • Provided a printed guide to understanding the CARE assessment to all AFHC members
  • Provided updates to changes in the WAC to all AFHC members
  • Provided member support through the transition to ProviderOne
  • Assisted 50+ members to become a facility based training program

Gov Inslee signing SB5877

Senate Bill 5877 – Requires DSHS to commence a hearing no later than 60 days after receiving a request for a hearing from an adult family home regarding a license suspension, stop placement order, or conditions for continuation of a license, unless the parties agree to a delay. This bill was signed into law on May 14, 2015 by Governor Jay Inslee.

Pictured from left to right Maria Chiechi AFHC Legislative Coordinator; John Ficker AFHC Executive Director; Walt Bowen, President Washington State Senior Citizen’s Lobby; Governor Jay Inslee; Senator Steve O’Ban Vice Chair Senate Law and Justice Committee, Jane Habegger, Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge

Gov Inslee signing HB1132

House Bill 1132, improving the change of ownership process for adult family homes, was signed into law April 23, 2015 by Governor Jay Inslee.

Pictured from left to right Representative Steve Tharinger co-chair Aging and Disability, Joint Legislative Executive Committee , Leanne Horn legislative assistant, Governor Jay Inslee, Walt Bowen president Washington State Senior Citizen’s Lobby, Maria Chiechi AFHC Legislative Coordinator.

×
Loading...
Loading...