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:
Current COVID-19 Epidemic Orders
The following MDHHS Epidemic Orders remain in effect for adult foster care facilities licensed for 13 or more beds and homes for the aged facilities:
May 21, 2021 - Requirements for Residential Care Facilities - Rescission of March 17, 2021
COVID-19 Antigen Testing Information
Consult the Michigan Antigen Tests FAQ for basic information about administering COVID tests to your residents and staff.
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.
Senior behavioral health staff held regular online presentations for AFC and HFA managers from December 2020 through March 2022. These "Q&A sessions" explained the latest guidelines for COVID-19 testing, monitoring, and vaccination.
To view the slides from these presentations, click the links below. PLEASE NOTE: Because COVID-19 guidance is continually changing, older presentations may contain outdated information.
Supplemental 4 COVID Vaccination Grant
Sharon Milberger, MI-DDI
Mark McWilliams, Disability Rights Michigan (DRM)
Jill Matson, Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM)
Isolation & Quarantine Updates for Healthcare Personnel
Chelsea Ludington, Team Lead, Infection Prevention Resource & Assessment Team
COVID-19 Testing Update
Natasha Radke, COVID Testing and Collection Coordination
Understanding the Omicron Variant
Dr. Marty Soehnlen, Infectious Disease Division, Bureau of Laboratories
COVID-19 Therapeutics
Wendy Snyder, Bureau of EMS Trauma and Preparedness
Meet Michigan's new Chief Medical Executive
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, MPH, FIDSA
Understanding COVID-19 Prevention & Treatment Guidelines for Individuals who have Decision-Making Challenges
Dr. Debra Pinals, MD
Medical Director for Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs
The Benefits of Working with Regional Healthcare Coalitions
Amanda Reed, Region 7 Healthcare Coalition
Latest Visitation Updates for AFCs & HFAs
Denise Parr, BSN, RN, CIC
Lead Manager, Infectious Prevention Resource and Assessment Team (IPRAT)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Overview
Audrey Carlstrom
Industrial Hygienist
MIOSHA Consultation, Education & Training Division
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
