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Strengthening Adult Family Home Providers. Elevating Care Across Washington.

The Washington Association of Adult Family Home Providers (WAFHA) is a statewide professional association dedicated to supporting Adult Family Home providers through education, advocacy, leadership development, collaboration, and trusted resources.

We strengthen providers so providers can strengthen lives.

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Welcome to WAFHA

Whether you are opening your first Adult Family Home or have served residents for decades, WAFHA is here to help you succeed.

We believe Adult Family Home providers deserve strong education, professional support, trusted advocacy, and a statewide community committed to excellence in care.

WAFHA exists to help providers grow, lead, stay informed, and deliver exceptional person-centered care to residents across Washington State.

What We Do

Education

Professional training, continuing education, leadership development, and compliance-focused learning through WAFHA Academy.

Advocacy

A responsible, nonpartisan voice for Adult Family Home providers before policymakers, regulators, and community partners.

Membership

A statewide network where providers can connect, learn, share resources, and grow together.

Resources

Practical tools, templates, updates, best practices, and guidance to help providers operate with confidence.

Leadership

Programs and opportunities designed to develop the next generation of Adult Family Home leaders.

Why WAFHA Matters

Adult Family Homes are more than care settings. They are homes.

They provide dignity, compassion, safety, and personalized support for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

When providers are supported, educated, and connected, residents benefit. Families benefit. Communities benefit.

That is why WAFHA exists.

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Our Mission

To strengthen, educate, and advocate for Adult Family Home providers across Washington State while promoting excellence, integrity, leadership, and innovation in residential long-term care.

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WAFHA Academy

Learn. Lead. Excel.

WAFHA Academy is the education and professional development division of WAFHA.

Programs will focus on:

  • Continuing education
  • Compliance training
  • Dementia care
  • Resident rights
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Business operations
  • Human resources
  • Leadership development
  • Leadership development
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Become a Founding Member

Join a growing statewide movement committed to strengthening Adult Family Home providers and improving care across Washington.

As a WAFHA member, you will gain access to education, updates, resources, networking, advocacy, and future member benefits designed specifically for Adult Family Home providers.

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Advocacy With Integrity

WAFHA believes advocacy should be professional, respectful, evidence-informed, and nonpartisan.

We work to educate policymakers, support providers, improve understanding of Adult Family Homes, and promote responsible policies that strengthen care.

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Partner With WAFHA

We welcome collaboration with healthcare organizations, educational institutions, businesses, community partners, sponsors, and leaders who share our commitment to excellence in Adult Family Home care.

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Our Promise

  • We will lead with integrity.
  • We will serve with professionalism.
  • We will strengthen providers.
  • We will protect public trust.
  • We will keep residents at the center of our mission.

Be Part of the Future of Adult Family Home Care in Washington.

Join WAFHA today and help build a stronger, more respected, and better-supported Adult Family Home profession.

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WAFHA ADVOCACY PRIORITIES

Working for Adult Family Home Providers Across Washington State

The Washington Association of Adult Family Home Providers (WAFHA) is a provider-led organization committed to protecting, strengthening, and advancing Adult Family Homes throughout Washington State. We advocate for practical policies that allow providers to operate sustainable businesses while delivering high-quality care to vulnerable adults.

What WAFHA Is Working For

  1. Fair and Adequate Provider Reimbursement
    Advocate for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates that reflect the true and rising costs of staffing, housing, food, insurance, utilities, training, and regulatory compliance.
  2. Solutions to Caregiver Overtime Costs
    Work with state leaders on sustainable solutions to caregiver overtime requirements so providers can comply with labor laws without jeopardizing the financial stability of Adult Family Homes.
  3. A Washington Provider Bill of Rights
    Advance legislation establishing clear rights and protections for Adult Family Home providers, including fair treatment, due process, transparency, and reasonable regulatory enforcement.
  4. Less Unnecessary Regulation and Bureaucracy
    Identify outdated, duplicative, or unnecessarily burdensome regulations and advocate for simpler, clearer rules that protect residents without overwhelming providers.
  5. Timely Payments from MCOs and Government Programs
    Push for stronger payment standards so Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), Medicaid programs, and other payers reimburse providers accurately and on time.
  6. Fair and Consistent DSHS Enforcement
    Advocate for inspections, investigations, citations, and enforcement actions that are consistent, transparent, educational, and based on clear standards.
  7. Due Process for Providers
    Support stronger procedures allowing providers to understand allegations, respond to findings, challenge inaccurate citations, and receive fair consideration before serious sanctions are imposed.
  8. Better Funding for High-Acuity Residents
    Advocate for reimbursement that reflects the actual level of care required for residents with dementia, behavioral health conditions, complex medical needs, and other high-acuity conditions.
  9. Workforce Recruitment and Retention
    Support policies that help Adult Family Homes recruit, train, retain, and fairly compensate qualified caregivers.
  10. Affordable and Accessible Provider Education
    Expand practical training, continuing education, regulatory updates, workshops, and resources designed specifically for Adult Family Home owners, administrators, and caregivers.
  11. Stronger Provider Representation in Olympia
    Ensure Adult Family Home providers have a meaningful voice when legislators, DSHS, state agencies, and other policymakers make decisions affecting our businesses and residents.
  12. A Seat at the Table Before New Regulations Are Adopted
    Advocate for meaningful provider consultation before laws, regulations, reimbursement changes, or agency policies affecting Adult Family Homes are implemented.
  13. Protection for Small and Independent Adult Family Homes
    Promote policies recognizing that Adult Family Homes are small businesses and should not be subjected to requirements designed for large institutional healthcare facilities.
  14. Support for New and Existing Providers
    Improve access to licensing guidance, compliance assistance, business resources, mentorship, and education to help responsible providers succeed.
  15. Resident Safety Without Unnecessary Provider Burdens
    Support strong resident protections while promoting practical regulations that allow providers to focus more time and resources on direct resident care.
  16. Greater Transparency and Accountability
    Advocate for clear communication from state agencies, transparent rulemaking, understandable policies, and accountability when decisions directly affect providers.
  17. Emergency and Disaster Support for Adult Family Homes
    Seek better state and local coordination, financial assistance, emergency planning resources, and support for providers affected by wildfires, power outages, evacuations, and other emergencies.
  18. Recognition of Adult Family Homes as Essential Healthcare Partners
    Promote greater recognition of the critical role Adult Family Homes play in Washington’s long-term care system and the significant savings and personalized care they provide compared with institutional settings.