"There have been questions raised about whether or not a home/facility can release information to the U.S. Census Bureau.  The following is the answer from Irene Owens, DSHS, Office Chief, Policy Unit, Residential Care Services:  

Federal law gives broad authority to the U.S. Census Bureau to collect information from individuals relating to the census.  Residential care providers would be required to disclose Personal Health Information (PHI) as the owner or person in charge of the building or boarding house the Bureau is visiting.  Neither federal nor state law prevents a provider from releasing PHI to the Bureau.  In fact, if a provider does not comply with Bureau requests, they could be subject to a $500 fine, with resi dents subject to an additional fine for non-compliance.  There may be additional requirements that a provider must follow when releasing PHI.  Providers should consult their own private counsel should they have further questions." 

 
 
In June 2009, people worried that WA State planned to stop licensing care homes.   I called my contacts and found it is a false alarm... all they are doing is changing the frequency and location of orientation.  It seems that many people take the orientation class just to learn about the business, but if it's not a good match for them, they don't open one.  So they have posted New AFH Information Sheets online, giving an overview of what is required and expected from AFH Care Providers, in the effort to save everyone time, energy and money.  Here's the link for those Information Sheets and other important start-up regulations:http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/afh.htm
 
 
The AFH Business continues to be a viable home based business, despite the challenges in our economy.  Did you know, you can take in one private pay client without a license?  This can keep the mortgage paid while you work through the licensing process, and give you an excellent opportunity to fine-tune your AFH operating procedures before you get really busy with a full house.   

Want to know how to run a great AFH?  Register for the 48 Hour AFH Administrator Training!  Our next class begins Monday, August 31, 2009.
 
 

Monica,
Your emphasis "!!!!" at the end of your FaceBook message speaks volumes.  Only those who are working with the specific individuals and situations can appreciate the whole situation. 

Professional AFH Business Guidance:
Be clear about the problem and who owns it. Structure a supportive environment. Utilize the information from your AFH Mental Health Specialty Training. Follow your license rules regarding care coordination and medications.  Request Home Health Psych Eval & support for your client, and more caregiver training related to caring for that specific client. Get professional help in formulating a specific care plan - and then follow it. Use a team approach in customizing client care for the best possible outcome. 

From the Heart:
Know that each soul is of infinite worth in the eyes of our Creator.  We each take on genetic and generational patterns at birth. We are influenced also by life experience and body chemistry.  Our subconscious mind wants to keep us safe, and to that end, we develop behavior patterns of reacting to what we perceive at threatening situations.  Over time, those patterns become deeply ingrained habits.  Our life situations may change... but the old habitual patterns remain, and can actually become problems in themselves. 

There is hope.  Authentic Wholeness is possible.   

Our Creator instilled within us the capacity to heal, but we must help it along - we must choose it, facilitate it, and "get out of the way" so it can happen.  The basic process is to 1.stop causing damage, 2. detoxify, 3. stabilize and 4. build.  This process is the same, whether the therapeutic approach is physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, but it works faster when all aspects are addressed synchronistically.

Self-limiting and self-defeating habits and patterns can be shifted and new, healthier coping patterns can be created through working with our subtle energy systems. Once we reach the stabilization and building stages, we find within us immense personal power to re-create our lives, reaching new levels of joy and peace as we align with our inner truths and learn who we really are.

It's been said that we all have some degree of dysfunction... that it's only when that dysfunction becomes a noticable problem in functioning independently in our society that it's diagnosed or treated as a disability.

Be aware that some people (consciously or unconsciously) choose to remain disabled or to behave in ways that keep themselves or others disabled because disability serves them in some way. (Attention, finances, etc.)  Whether that's your AFH resident.. a co-worker... or a family member... you can still effect a more peaceful existence with them by learning simple energy therapy techniques. The Alternative Therapy field is vast... and there are many aspects of healing.  I share simple, effective tools and techniques in my coaching program that you can use to deal with life situations as they come up.  See the Clarity Coaching page on this site www.qualitynurseconsultants.com. 

I myself experienced a complete health renewal in the last few years through naturopathic and energy therapies, and I'm attracting more and more of what I want in my life, including a new level of prosperity.  I have been inspired to share what I've learned with others, beginning with where I am... www.qualitynurseconsultants.com and www.carehomeamerica.com. and knowing where I'm going... www.authenticwholeness.com (still in progress).   

Releasing patterns that no longer serve you, and choosing that which brings your best and highest good can be a wild ride... but once you initiate the process, the feelings of being authentically free are so worth it!  

Did this help??? Your comments are appreciated.