ABOUT WAFHA
About the Washington Association of Adult Family Home Providers
WAFHA: Founded by Providers for Providers
The Washington Association of Adult Family Home Providers (WAFHA) was founded by providers, is owned by providers, and is led by providers.
For far too many years, Washington’s Adult Family Home providers have not had the strong, independent representation they deserve. Decisions affecting our homes, caregivers, residents, and livelihoods have often been made without providers having a meaningful voice at the table.
WAFHA was created to change that.
In 2025, a group of Adult Family Home providers in Spokane came together to discuss the
serious challenges facing our industry, including:
- Late payments from managed care organizations
- Inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates
- Excessive and burdensome regulations
- Rising wages, food, housing, insurance, and operating costs
- Unpaid resident participation amounts
- Policies developed without meaningful provider participation
These providers recognized that no one could represent their interests better than providers themselves. They established WAFHA as an organization dedicated exclusively to protecting, supporting, and advocating for Adult Family Home providers—without bias, hesitation, or reservation. Since then, thousands of providers have joined or participated in the growing WAFHA movement because we believe that when providers unite and speak with one powerful voice, we can achieve real results.
The State Must Pay the True Cost of Care
Adult Family Homes care for Washington’s most vulnerable residents 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Providers supply housing, meals, personal care, medication assistance, supervision, transportation, staffing, regulatory compliance, and many other essential services.
Yet some providers receive only approximately $138 per resident per day. Spread across 24 hours, that equals just $5.75 per hour to cover the resident’s entire care and operating costs—not merely caregiver wages.
That is not sustainable, and it does not reflect the true cost of providing safe, compassionate, around-the-clock care. Providers are not asking for special treatment. We are asking the State of Washington to pay the actual and reasonable cost of caring for its vulnerable residents.
This Is Your Organization
If you are an Adult Family Home provider in Washington State, WAFHA is your
organization. Your experience matters. Your concerns matter. Your voice matters.
Join us as we work together to:
- Secure fair Medicaid reimbursement
- Require MCOs to pay providers accurately and on time
- Fight unnecessary and excessive regulations
- Protect providers from unfair financial losses
- Ensure providers have a seat at every policy-making table
- Strengthen and preserve Washington’s Adult Family Home industry
- Protect the vulnerable residents who depend on us every day
We need your voice, your participation, and your support.
Join WAFHA today. Together, providers are stronger. Together, providers will be heard. Together, we will protect our homes, our residents, and the future of our industry.
WAFHA — Founded by Providers. Owned by Providers. Led by Providers.
WHAFA- Washington Association of Adult Family Home Providers
9802 N Seminole Street, Spokane, WA 99208
Telephone: 1-866-WAFHA-80 – 1866-923-4280
Tax Exempt ID: 0194394
TAX ID: 39-3534969
Your Donations are Tax Deductible
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.
Our Vision
To be Washington State’s most trusted and respected professional association for Adult Family Home providers and a recognized leader in advancing quality, leadership, education, and innovation in residential long-term care.
Our Purpose
WAFHA exists to:
- Support Adult Family Home providers in delivering exceptional, person-centered care.
- Promote professional growth through education and leadership development.
- Serve as a trusted resource for information, best practices, and operational guidance.
- Advocate responsibly on issues affecting providers and the residents they serve.
- Foster collaboration among providers, healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, and community partners.
- Strengthen the Adult Family Home profession for future generations.
Our Core Values
Integrity
We act honestly, ethically, and transparently in everything we do.
Excellence
We strive for the highest standards in education, leadership, governance, and member service.
Stewardship
We responsibly manage the trust, resources, and opportunities entrusted to our Association.
Collaboration
We believe meaningful progress is achieved through respectful partnerships and shared knowledge.
Innovation
We embrace new ideas, technologies, and evidence-informed practices that improve care and strengthen providers.
Service
Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to serving Adult Family Home providers, residents, families, and communities.
Why WAFHA Was Founded
Adult Family Home providers play a vital role in Washington’s long-term care system.
They provide compassionate, individualized care in home-like settings that allow residents to receive support while maintaining dignity, independence, and meaningful relationships.
Despite their essential role, providers often face complex regulations, workforce challenges, business responsibilities, and rapidly changing healthcare environments.
WAFHA was created to ensure that providers have a strong professional association dedicated exclusively to helping them succeed.
We are committed to providing practical education, professional support, advocacy, leadership development, networking opportunities, and trusted resources that strengthen providers and elevate the profession.
Our Commitment
We are committed to building an Association that reflects the highest standards of nonprofit governance and professional leadership.
We believe that trust is earned through consistency, transparency, accountability, and service.
Every decision we make is measured against one simple question:
Does this strengthen providers and improve the lives of the residents they serve?
If the answer is yes, we move forward with purpose.
Looking Ahead
WAFHA is building more than an association.
We are building a professional community dedicated to lifelong learning, leadership development, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
As we grow, we will continue expanding educational opportunities, strengthening partnerships, supporting advocacy efforts, and developing programs that help Adult Family Home providers thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment.
Together, we are shaping the future of Adult Family Home care in Washington State.
Join the WAFHA Community
Whether you are an experienced provider, a new Adult Family Home owner, a healthcare professional, an educator, a community partner, or someone who believes in the importance of high-quality residential care, there is a place for you at WAFHA.
Together, we can strengthen providers, improve care, and build a lasting legacy of excellence.
We strengthen providers so providers can strengthen lives.