The purpose of this tutorial is to answer questions and provide information to assist you in making an informed decision about applying for an adult foster care (AFC) license.
This will also provide you with information intended to assist you in identifying the type of license application to request and the category of AFC facility to apply for.
This tutorial will not:
Determine your appropriateness to be a licensee.
Provide you with training or competency to be an AFC licensee or administrator.
The purpose of this section is to discuss the business aspect of becoming a licensee.
The Licensee is the person, persons in a partnership, the corporation or the limited liability company (LLC) who the adult foster care license is issued to. It is best to check with your business consultant first before submitting an application.
The Effect of Licensing On You:
Developing and operating a business today requires a level of sophistication
Perhaps consult with someone already licensed
Determine type of ownership
- Proprietorship/partnership/corporation/limited liability company
Determine level of insurance (auto/home) and liability insurances to buy
Determine how to market and finance
Determine food service supplier - vendor/local grocery
Determine if you want employees bonded
Determine if you are ready to give up your privacy - finances, family members, business relationships, psychiatric/medical/criminal history will be investigated, all areas of the home will be inspected
Determine if your are ready to face many conflicting demands and pressures:
you must satisfy your customers
you must comply with the regulation of at least one government agency, maybe more
you must meet the expectations of employees
you must make a good impression on the public
Although not a licensing requirement, it is recommended that you develop a business plan to include:
Marketing strategies
Financial plan
Determine / get acquainted with potential placement sources: community mental health system, Department of Human Services, veteran's hospital, etc.
The purpose of this section is to provide the purpose and definition of adult foster care and how adult foster care differs from other types of residential programs.
Definition of Adult Foster Care
Adult foster care is a specific type of assisted living, as outlined in PA 218 and the administrative rules.
Adult foster care facility means a governmental or nongovernmental establishment that provides foster care to adults.
Foster care means the provision of supervision, personal care, and protection in addition to room and board, for 24 hours a day, 5 or more days a week, and for 2 or more consecutive weeks for compensation.
Supervision means guidance of a resident in the activities of daily living, including all of the following:
(a) Reminding a resident to maintain his or her medication schedule, as directed by the resident's physician.
(b) Reminding a resident of important activities to be carried out.
(c) Assisting a resident in keeping appointments.
(d) Being aware of a resident's general whereabouts even though the resident may travel independently about the community.
Personal care means personal assistance provided by a licensee or an agent or employee of a licensee to a resident who requires assistance with dressing, personal hygiene, grooming, maintenance of a medication schedule as directed and supervised by the resident's physician, or the development of those personal and social skills required to live in the least restrictive environment.
Protection means the continual responsibility of the licensee to take reasonable action to insure the health, safety, and well-being of a resident, including protection from physical harm, humiliation, intimidation, and social, moral, financial, and personal exploitation while on the premises, while under the supervision of the licensee or an agent or employee of the licensee, or when the resident's assessment plan states that the resident needs continuous supervision.
Purpose of Adult Foster Care
To provide needed care for aged, developmentally disabled, mentally ill and physically handicapped persons.
To assure privacy, and protection from moral, social and financial exploitation.
To treat people with dignity while meeting personal needs and assuring safety.
What Adult Foster Care is Not
It is not a nursing home as the residents do not require continuous nursing care, unless a hospice patient.
It is not a room & board situation as 24-hour supervision is provided.
It is not specialized care provided in an individual's home as the individual receiving care typically does not own or control the real estate.
It excludes facilities licensed under other laws such as:
Homes for the Aged
Hospitals
Facilities operated by the Department of Community Health
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