Coronavirus - FOR AFC & HFA OPERATORS

COVID-19 Response Guidance for Michigan-licensed AFCs and HFAs

This page contains resources to help licensed adult foster care homes (AFCs) and homes for the aged (HFAs) implement state-mandated COVID-19 response activities. Resources are provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration (BHDDA) and by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which licenses AFCs and HFAs.

Emergency Planning Resources

Consult the AFC and HFA Emergency Planning page for helpful resources, including tools to help your facility create and maintain an emergency preparedness plan.

COVID-19 Emergency Response Decision Tool

Click the image below to open and download the COVID-19 Emergency Response Decision Tool. This flow chart provides guidance on:

What to do when a resident or staff member tests positive for COVID-19
What to do when you run short of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What to do when you experience a staffing shortage due to the pandemic

(click image to open)

Frequently Asked Questions

This document, prepared by LARA, addresses concerns about COVID-19-positive residents and staff. It is updated frequently to reflect changing circumstances.

COVID-19 FAQs for AFCs and HFAs

COVID-19 Antigen Testing Information

Consult the Michigan Antigen Tests FAQ for basic information about administering COVID tests to your residents and staff.

This brief training video shows how to give someone a CareStart^TM COVID-19 test.

You can also refer to the CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Instructions for Use or watch this CareStart training event recorded on 1/21/2021.

The CareStart Antigen Test Competency Quiz is to be completed by trainees and submitted to the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories.

This training video shows how to administer a Binax NOW COVID-19 Antigen Test.

Use the online Antigen Supply request Form to request test supplies two weeks in advance of testing.

Use the online Antigen Reporting Form to report completion of individual tests.

Consult the Annotated CLIA Waiver Form to assistance in completing a CLIA Waiver application.

AFC-HFA Presentations

Senior staff at BHDDA are conducting regular online presentations for AFC and HFA managers. These "Q&A sessions" explain the latest guidelines for COVID-19 testing, monitoring, and vaccination. If you wish to be invited to future online presentations, please email your contact information to MDHHS-COVID-AFC-HFA-Response@michigan.gov.

To view the slides from previous presentations, click the links below. PLEASE NOTE: Because guidance is continually changing, older presentations may contain outdated information.

November 10, 2021
Emergency Preparedness Committee update
Katie Puskar, MPS
Disaster Preparedness Analyst

COVID-19 booster shots: options for AFCs & HFAs
Joe Coyle, MPH
Director, Bureau of Infectious Disease Prevention

Stay Well presentation: Pandemic Burnout
Erin Wallace, CDP
Project Manager, Michigan Stay Well crisis counseling program
October 27, 2021
New Health and Aging Services Administration (HASA)
Katie Commey, MPH
Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects, HASA

COVID-19 Pandemic Update
Jennifer Beggs, MPH
Emergency Preparedness Epidemiologist

Visitation, Testing, and Quarantine guidance: updates and clarification
Chelsea Ludington, MPH, CIC
Infection Preventionist
Infection Prevention Resource & Assessment Team (iPRAT)
Division of Communicable Diseases
September 22, 2021
Delta variant spread update
Jennifer Beggs, MPH
Emergency Preparedness Epidemiologist

COVID-19 booster shots and 3rd doses
Terri Adams, RN, BSN, MM
Director, Division of Immunization

MI's Regional Healthcare Coalitions
Rick Drummer, BS, MBA, MS, CHEP
Coordinator, Region 2 North

AFC/HFA Emergency Preparedness Survey Results
Terra Riddle, MPA
PHEP Analyst

What's Next for AFC/HFA Emergency Preparedness Committee?
Katie Puskar, MPS
Disaster Preparedness Analyst
September 8, 2021
Update on spread of COVID-19 and the Delta variant
Jennifer Beggs, MPH
Emergency Preparedness Epidemiologist

Refresher course: Visitation and other guidance during a COVID-19 outbreak
Denise Parr, BSN, RN, CIC
IPRAT Lead Manager
Infection Prevention Resource and Assessment Team
Division of Communicable Diseases
August 25, 2021
Status update on Care & Recovery Centers and COVID Relief Facilities
Katie Commey, MPH
Manager, Strategic Engagement and Planning, Medical Services Administration

Vaccination of Long-term Care Residents and Staff
Alyssa Strouse, MPH
Adult and Adolescent Immunization Coordinator, Division of Immunization

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for COVID-19: Saving Lives in LTC Facilities
Williams Fales, MD, FACEP, FAEMS
State Medical Director, Division of EMS and Trauma
MDHHS Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness
August 11, 2021
Support for AFC-HFA Disaster Planning
Wendy Snyder, MSN, RN, ED
Bureau of EMS Trauma and Preparedness

Understanding FDA COVID Testing Changes
Dr. Marty Soehnlen, PhD, MPH, PHLD (ABB)
Infectious Disease Division, Bureau of Laboratories
July 28, 2021
Possibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots
Heidi Loynes
Immunization Nurse Educator, Division of Immunization

Review of Emergency Orders in the context of summertime activities and gatherings

Katie Commey, Manager

Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

Patrick Hindman
IPRAT Team Lead
Infection Prevention Resource & Assessment Team
July 14, 2021
COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Overview

Audrey Carlstrom

Industrial Hygienist

MIOSHA Consultation, Education & Training Division
June 30, 2021

Risks of Loneliness and Isolation: How to Support Your Residents
Raymie Postema, Director
Office of Recipient Rights

Status of Emergency Orders Impacting Residential Care Facilities
Katie Commey, Manager
Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects
June 9, 2021
Recap of May 21st Requirements for Residential Care Facilities
Katie Commey, Manager
Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

Answers to your questions from previous presentations about visitation and testing
Katie Commey and Denise Parr, IPRAT Lead Manager
(IPRAT = Infection Prevention Resource & Assessment Team)
May 26, 2021
Reminder about animatronic companion pet adoption project
Tammy Cordes, Special Projects Coordinator
Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

May 21st Emergency Order
Katie Commey, Manager
Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

Revised MIOSHA Workplace Guidelines
Anthony Smykla, Industrial Hygienist
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Impact of Mask Guidelines on AFCs and HFAs

Technical Assistance for PPE
Denise Parr, IPRAT Lead Manager
Infection Prevention Resource & Assessment Team (IPRAT)
Division of Communicable Diseases
May 12, 2021
Short summary of the AFC-HFA survey results

Al Jansen, Senior Deputy Director, BHDDA

New MDHHS guidance on COVID-19 testing

Katie Commey, Manager
Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

Temporary Staffing Options for AFCs/HFAs

Nicole Hudson, State Assistant Administrator to Chief Deputy of Health/Chief Medical Executive
April 28, 2021
Emergency Preparedness Committee Update

Katie Puskar, Departmental Analyst

What we know about COVID-19 Variants

Dr. Marty Soehnlen, PhD, MPH, PHLD(ABB) Infectious Disease Division, Bureau of Laboratories

Vaccine Updates / After Clinics

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Division of Immunization

COVID-19 Testing Program Updates

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison
April 14, 2021
FAQs on Quarantine and Isolation

Brenda Brennan, MSPH, Manager Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated and Resistant Pathogens (SHARP) Unit

FAQs on Visitation

Katie Commey, MPH Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

COVID-19 Testing Program Updates

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison
April 7, 2021
Support for mental well-being while helping others through COVID-19

Dr. Debra Pinals, Psychiatrist and Medical Director for Behavioral Health & Forensic Programs, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
March 31, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Shelly Doebler, MPH Influenza Epidemiologist, Division of Immunization

Quarantine and Isolation

Brenda Brennan, MSPH, Manager, Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated and Resistant Pathogens (SHARP) Unit
March 24, 2021
New Emergency Order for Residential Care Facilities, including revised testing and visitation guidelines Katie Commey, MPH Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

COVID-19 Testing Program Updates

Danielle Jones, MPH Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison
March 17, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Shelly Doebler, MPH Influenza Epidemiologist, Division of Immunization

COVID-19 Testing Updates

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

New Infection Control Training

Elizabeth Gallagher, MPA Home and Community Based Services Section

Forthcoming Revised Emergency Order on Visitation

Katie Commey, MPH Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects
March 10, 2021
COVID-19 Testing Updates

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

COVID-19 Reporting Requirements

Katie Commey, MPH, Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

Procedures for when residents leave and return

Raymie Postema, Director, MDHHS Office of Recipient Rights
February 24, 2021
Questions about Visitation Requirements for Residential Care Facilities

Katie Commey, MPH, Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects

Nell Newton, Project Manager

Questions about MIOSHA Standards: Requirements for Residential Care Facilities

Anthony Smykla, Industrial Hygienist, Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration
February 17, 2021
COVID-19 Quarantine, Isolation, and Cohorting

Brenda Brennan, MSPH, Manager, Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated and Resistant Pathogens (SHARP) Unit

COVID-19 Testing Update

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

COVID Vaccine Update - LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist, MDHHS Division of Immunization
February 10, 2021
Rapid Response Staffing

Nicole Hudson, State Assistant Administrator to Chief Deputy of Health/Chief Medical Executive

COVID Vaccine Update - LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist, MDHHS Division of Immunization

COVID-19 Testing Update

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Long-Term Care Facilities

William Fales, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, State Medical Director, Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness

Respiratory Protection Overview - What Assisted Living Employers Need to Know

Anthony Smykla, Industrial Hygienist, Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration
February 3, 2021
Communities of Practice with IPRAT-OS

Hilary Marine, MSN, CPNP, Division of Communicable Diseases

COVID Vaccine Update - LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist, MDHHS Division of Immunization

COVID-19 Testing Update

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

COVID-19 Workplace Requirements for Assisted Living Employers

Anthony Smykla, Industrial Hygienist, Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration
January 27, 2021
Decision Tool: Flow Chart for AFC-HFA COVID-19 Emergency Response

Belinda Hawks, Director, Division of Quality Management & Planning, BHDDA

COVID Vaccine Update - LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist, MDHHS Division of Immunization

COVID-19 Testing Update

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison
January 20, 2021
COVID Vaccine Update - LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist, MDHHS Division of Immunization

COVID-19 Testing Update

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

Rapid Response Staffing

Nicole Hudson, State Assistant Administrator to Chief Deputy of Health/Chief Medical Executive

Role of AFC & HFA Licensing

Jay Calewarts, Director, AFC and Camp Licensing Division, Bureau of Community and Health Systems
January 13, 2021
Communication Update

Paula Detwiller, BHDDA Liaison to MDHHS Communications Office

COVID Vaccine Update - LTC Pharmacy Partnership Update

Heidi Loynes, BSN, RN, Immunization Nurse Educator

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist

COVID Response Updates

Erin Emerson, Director, Office of Strategic Partnerships

COVID Testing and Collection Coordination

Danielle Jones, MPH, Vulnerable Population Testing Liaison

EMS Education and Protocols

Emily Bergquist, EMT-P I/C, MSA Medical Control Authority Coordinator, Division of EMS and Trauma
December 30, 2020
Decision Tool: Flow Chart for AFC-HFA COVID-19 Emergency Response

Belinda Hawks, Director, Division of Quality Management & Planning, BHDDA

Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care (LTC) Program Update

Alyssa Strouse, MPH, Adult and Adolescent Immunization Coordinator

Shelly Doebler, MPH, Influenza Epidemiologist

Testing Update

Jason Wilkinson, Director, COVID Testing & Collection Coordination

Quarantine, Isolation, and Cohorting

Brenda Brennan, MSPH, Manager, Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated and Resistant Pathogens (SHARP) Unit
December 18, 2020
Holiday Visitation and Visiting Families

Raymie Postema, Director, MDHHS Office of Recipient Rights

COVID-19 Testing

Jeffery Wieferich, MA, LLP, Director, Bureau of Community-Based Services

Emergency Planning and Healthcare Coalitions

Rick Drummer, BS, MBA, MS, CHEP, Region 2 North Healthcare Coalition - Regional Coordinator Serving Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties
December 9, 2020
COVID Epidemiology / COVID in Michigan Overview

Brenda Brennan, MSPH, Manager, Surveillance for Healthcare-Associated and Resistant Pathogens (SHARP) Unit

MDHHS Epidemic Orders: Current AFC & HFA Requirements and Expectations

Jeffery Wieferich, MA, LLP, Director, Bureau of Community-Based Services

Testing Update

Jason Wilkinson, Director, COVID Testing & Collection Coordination

Decision Tool for AFC-HFA COVID-19 Emergency Response

Belinda Hawks, Director, Division of Quality Management & Planning, BHDDA

Rapid Response Staffing

Nicole Hudson, State Assistant Administrator to Chief Deputy of Health/Chief Medical Executive