There are active discussions and questions circulating regarding the Adult Family Home Training Network.
This page serves as the central source for verified updates, answers to frequently asked questions, and information about upcoming online community updates hosted by the Long-Term Care Foundation.
Our commitment remains clear: supporting high-quality caregiver training and ensuring providers have access to accurate information.
This page will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Upcoming Online Community Updates
We are hosting a series of live community updates and Q&A sessions to share verified information, answer questions, and provide ongoing updates.
We will continue hosting regular updates until there is clarity and resolution.
If you are unable to attend live, recordings and summaries will be posted below.
Past Online Community Update Recordings & Summaries
"I am so grateful to God and for the Long-Term Care Foundation and to Tiffany who has been very kind and gracious during this time. Tiffany explained everything very clearly and always responded respectfully and quickly. She kept in touch throughout the process until I finished my CNA course. From getting a school to enroll in, and the enrollment was easy, to paying my tuition fee, I didn't have any issues at all, not one. Tiffany directed me step-by-step at every point and bless her soul and the whole Long-Term Care Foundation team. She answered all and any questions I had satisfactorily and immediately. I am so blessed to have benefited from this Long-Term Care Foundation and from all of you who are a part of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Lilian Rich
"Dear Long-Term Care Foundation Team, I am writing to sincerely thank you for sponsoring my CNA training. Your generous support made it possible for me to attend school, and I’m excited to share that I have officially passed both the written and skills portions of the state certification exam. I am currently awaiting the arrival of my license. This opportunity has been a huge step forward in my healthcare journey, and I truly could not have done it without your investment in my future.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my employer for nominating me for this incredible program. Their belief in me has meant so much, and their encouragement throughout this process helped keep me motivated and focused.
Thank you again for your support and for making a difference in the lives of aspiring caregivers like myself."
Current Situation: AFH Training Network Discussion
Impact on Adult Family Home Providers
Guidance for Providers Right Now
Communication and Information Sources
The Long-Term Care Foundation (LTCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting caregiver training and workforce development across Washington State. The LTCF is primarily funded through a vendor contract (AFH Training Network) with DSHS. The AFH Training Network is funded through Medicaid dollars included in the AFH Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Adult Family Home Council (AFHC) is a separate organization with its own governance structure and is funded by membership dues paid by Adult Family Homes in Washington State.
While the two organizations have worked together historically in support of adult family homes, they are legally distinct entities with separate leadership, boards, and responsibilities.
LTCF does not govern AFHC, and AFHC does not govern LTCF. Each organization operates under its own structure and authority.
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The Long-Term Care Foundation administers the AFH Training Network and supports caregiver training programs, including:
• Coordinating training delivery
• Supporting instructors and training partners
• Distributing eligible allowances/stipend and reimbursements
• Ensuring compliance with applicable program requirements
• Providing support to adult family home providers
Our focus is workforce development, access to training, and strengthening care quality across Washington.
Since 2020, the Long-Term Care Foundation has:
• Helped train over 5,130 caregivers and funded $4.3 million in training
• Supported 1,205 adult family homes
• Distributed over $2.2 million in stipends and reimbursements
• Funded training opportunities across multiple counties
• Partnered with 93 instructors and community organizations statewide
These efforts directly support:
• Adult family home operators
• Frontline caregivers
• Residents receiving care
• Workforce stability in long-term care
Our mission remains centered on strengthening caregiver training access and quality across the state.
No. The Long-Term Care Foundation does not collect membership dues from adult family home providers and does not control union-related funding structures.
LTCF operates as a nonprofit organization focused specifically on training administration and workforce support.
Zoom Meeting Chat Questions
Public statements from AFHC indicate they are relying on incorrect or outdated data, which creates a misleading narrative that the LTCF is not adequately supporting providers.
No formal notice has been issued to LTCF. Public statements suggest AFHC believes the termination would be “for cause,” but no official documentation has been provided.
No. AFHC is not a party to the contract. The agreement exists solely between DSHS and LTCF.
There is no provision in the contract that allows for early termination under the circumstances described.
Yes. When Geno Nassen retired as a provider, the shared board seat became vacant because only active providers are eligible to hold that position. AFHC leadership was aware of the vacancy, and the seat remained open.
One shared board seat currently exists and is held by Jenna Hester.
Yes. A shared board member may vote on matters before both the AFHC and LTCF boards.
LTCF follows a standard conflict-of-interest policy and is currently reviewing ways to further strengthen that policy.
After Geno’s retirement and the seat remained unfilled, the LTCF board updated the bylaws to change the language from “shall include” to “may include” AFHC representation in order to maintain flexibility in board composition.
Yes, the change was approved by the LTCF board.
No. John Ficker has not been involved in LTCF or AFHC governance since his departure on January 24, 2025. He participated in a February 27, 2026 Zoom meeting only to share historical context about the creation of the LTCF and the AFH Training Network.
John shared the information he is legally able to disclose during the February 27, 2026 meeting. A recording of that discussion is available on the LTCF FAQ page.
During an LTCF board meeting in October 2023 John Ficker proposed the addition of an emeritus board position. This proposal was voted on and approved by the LTCF board, however, it was never enacted or added to LTCF bylaws. The draft version of bylaws that have been circulating were only a part of an ongoing discussion and were never reviewed by the full LTCF board nor were they adopted.
The vacancy was understood to occur automatically upon Geno’s retirement as a provider. The opportunity to fill the seat remained available.
To date, no formal applications or requests to serve on the LTCF board have been submitted. However, as Geno Nassen was leaving the AFHC board he did discuss the opportunity to join the LTCF board to another AFHC board member, Sam Mbuthia.
LTCF leadership has requested several meetings with AFHC leadership since the middle of 2025 in an effort to maintain communication and collaboration. While written questions were exchanged and answered, a joint meeting has not yet taken place.
LTCF maintains strong financial oversight through its board and executive leadership. A 2025 audit conducted by Armanino Advisory resulted in a clean report with no findings.
No. Staff salaries represent approximately 14% of the total budget, which is within the typical range for nonprofit organizations in Washington State.
Due to confidentiality requirements, full internal audit documentation cannot be released publicly. However, the audit findings letter and a summary presentation to the board are available below:
Operating expenses: $4.4M (26%), including salaries (14%)
Training programs, schools, stipends, and recruitment support: $6.5M (41%)
Required six-month reserves: $2.2M
Investments: $3.5M
LTCF does not have a contract with AFHC. The current contract is with DSHS and is expected to continue through June 2027. LTCF will explore additional funding opportunities to support long-term sustainability.
LTCF will continue pursuing its mission of supporting adult family home providers and strengthening Washington’s caregiving workforce.
LTCF is seeking a meeting scheduled with DSHS to discuss the situation. Feedback received during the most recent quarterly meeting in October was very positive and did not raise performance concerns.
LTCF is reviewing the appropriate processes and will share guidance once it has been confirmed.
This question is currently under review, and additional information will be shared when available.
Based on the current AFHC bylaws, board members cannot be removed through a membership vote.
Under the current structure, AFHC bylaws are amended by the board rather than by general membership.
This depends on AFHC’s internal governance rules.
Membership decisions are personal business decisions. LTCF encourages unity and continued collaboration across the community regardless of membership status.
Providers may contact AFHC leadership directly or the office at info@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org (mailto:info@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org)or 360-754-3329
No formal requirement currently exists for provider consultation. Providers can share their concerns with their local AFHC board representative. About Us | Adult Family Home Council (https://adultfamilyhomecouncil.org/about-us)
LTCF does not have information regarding AFHC’s internal communication decisions.
Personnel decisions within AFHC are made by the AFHC board.
Historically, AFHC and LTCF shared operational systems and infrastructure, which enabled real-time data sharing and collaboration. Over time, AFHC transitioned to separate systems and platforms. This shift reduced the level of shared visibility that previously existed between the organizations.
This question would need to be addressed directly by AFHC leadership.
LTCF plans to pursue grants and other funding opportunities to continue supporting providers and caregivers.
LTCF hopes any impact will be minimal, though changes in program administration may affect how services are delivered.
AFHC has indicated they intend to designate another organization but has not publicly identified a specific provider.
Yes. Both organizations have legal representation.
AFHC manages its own election processes. Providers would need to request information directly from AFHC.
LTCF does not have insight into AFHC’s communication decisions.
AFHC has cited concerns regarding training data and outcomes. With that said, the data used was outdated and inaccurate.
LTCF does not track long-term employment outcomes. As of 3/1/26, LTCF has funded 13,684 trainings for 7,989 caregivers.
As of 3/1/2026 2,469 individuals have completed HCA or CNA training through LTCF-funded programs. Certification data from the State of Washington is not currently available directly to LTCF.
Certification tracking is challenging because the Department of Health does not currently provide direct completion data. LTCF has signed a data-sharing agreement with DOH which, once implemented will provide current HCA and CNA certification data.
Recent enrollment activity includes:
149 applications processed in February
166 applications processed in January
1,179 applications processed in 2025
Yes. Adult family homes may continue accessing LTCF-supported training as long as LTCF is administering the AFH Training Network.
LTCF plans to host regular Zoom discussions to share updates and answer questions.
Stay Informed
We understand that caregiver training is essential to your operations, your staff, and the residents you serve.
As discussions continue, we are committed to:
Providing verified updates
Hosting regular live forums
Sharing clear communication
Responding to provider questions
We encourage you to bookmark this page and check back regularly, and sign up for updates if you aren’t on our mailing list. Updates will be posted here as information becomes available.
Submit a Question
If you have a question that has not been addressed in the FAQs above, please submit it using the form below.
Questions may be added anonymously to this page to support the broader provider community.
Our Commitment to Washington’s Adult Family Home Community
The Long-Term Care Foundation was established to strengthen caregiver training and workforce support across Washington State.
We remain focused on:
Supporting adult family home providers
Ensuring caregivers have access to high-quality training
Promoting workforce stability
Communicating with transparency
We recognize the importance of stability and clarity during times of uncertainty. Our team remains engaged, responsive, and committed to serving the provider community.
We will continue hosting community conversations and updating this page until there is clear resolution.