Adult family home representatives press for pilot expansion, workforce support and visibility

Courtney Williams, advocacy coordinator for the Adult Family Home Council, told the committee adult family homes are a residential option for 2–8 unrelated adults that can provide high levels of individualized care and are a growing part of Washington’s long‑term care system.

Williams said adult family homes provide specialized supports including dementia care, behavioral‑health supports and services for people with developmental disabilities; she noted that since 2021 the sector has grown by roughly 58% and that adult family homes operate more affordably than assisted living for many families. She said about 91% of adult family homes contract with Medicaid and that roughly 65% of residents are Medicaid‑paid.

Williams promoted an enhanced adult family home specialty pilot that reportedly funded about 100 individuals and asked the committee to sustain and expand the pilot to 200 individuals, citing better outcomes and caregiver relief in pilot cases. She also said workforce recruitment and retention, bed‑hold funding, and municipal permitting processes are barriers to expanding capacity; she urged more visibility so families and providers know adult family homes are an available option.

Committee members asked about resident satisfaction and capacity to serve complex needs such as high‑support autism. Williams said available satisfaction data varies by facility but that enrollment and retention indicate many residents and families are satisfied; she offered to follow up with more formal metrics. She also said municipalities’ zoning and permitting processes can delay new homes and recommended local coordination to accelerate openings.

Williams referenced a bill dropping (House Bill 1308) to modify existing statute and support adult family homes; she asked members to consider workforce and capacity measures during deliberations. No committee votes were taken during the presentation.