1. Program Definition and Services

Adult Family Home Services (commonly referred to in Oregon as Adult Foster Homes or Host Homes) provide short-term support to children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic, age-related conditions. The program aims to help maintain individuals within a residential, community-based layout, averting the need for larger institutional long-term services and supports. Services include:

• In-Home Personal Care: Individual support delivered within the provider's primary residence (Assistance with Activities of Daily Living [ADLs] like bathing, dressing, and eating; Instrumental ADLs [IADLs] like meal preparation and laundry; and Individualized Habilitation Skill-Building)
• Residential Personal Care: Around-the-clock supervision and specialized care in a family-like environment (24/7 Protective Oversight, Medication Administration, Health Condition Monitoring, Behavioral Goal Support, and Local Community Engagement)

2. Regulations

The program is governed by the following regulations:

• Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 411, Division 360 (Adult Foster Homes for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities)
• Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 411, Divisions 049, 050, 051, and 052 (Aging and People with Disabilities Adult Foster Home Licensure and Operational Standards)
• Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 309, Division 040 (Behavioral Health Adult Foster Home Regulations)
• Federal Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rules under OAR Chapter 411, Division 004

3. Licensing or Certification

Providers must be licensed as an Adult Foster Home (AFH) operator or certified as an approved Host Home by the state of Oregon before taking in residents or receiving Medicaid reimbursement.

4. Responsible State Agency

Depending on the specific target population, the license or certification is reviewed and issued by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), the Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) division, or the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Health Systems Division.

5. Application Process

The initial provider onboarding begins by coordinating through the local licensing authority (such as the local Community Developmental Disabilities Program [CDDP] or the regional APD office). Final enrollment for billing is completed via the electronic Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Provider Portal.

6. Required Documentation

While specific documentation requirements vary based on the target waiver and location, providers typically need to submit:

• A completed Oregon Adult Foster Home Licensure Application packet
• Verified financial records proving at least 2 months of liquid operating capital
• Home architectural floor plans outlining designated emergency evacuation pathways
• Clear medical statement from a physician validating the applicant's physical and mental fitness
• Proof of comprehensive homeowners/renters insurance alongside general liability protection

7. Timeline for Approval

The exact timeline for approval fluctuates based on agency capacity, background check processing, and home inspections. Providers should contact their regional office for detailed information on current processing timeframes.

8. Pre-Application Process

Prospective operators must complete specific foundation tasks before applying. They must secure background check clearances for all household members aged 18 and older, register their business entity if operating corporate foster care, and clear a comprehensive local environmental safety home inspection.

9. Pre-Application Training

The state requires applicants to complete multiple preliminary training modules before full licensure. These include the Ensuring Quality Care (EQC) foster care administration course, Home and Community-Based Services Training, Pre-Service Dementia Care, and Providing Inclusive Care for Long-Term Care Facility Staff.

10. Additional Notes

• Licensed homes are strictly limited to a capacity of 5 or fewer adult residents who are unrelated to the provider
• The primary licensee must typically reside full-time in the home unless an approved resident manager or a 24-hour shift-care model is officially authorized
• Providers must conspicuously post the resident Bill of Rights, customized House Rules, and emergency numbers inside the common areas of the residence
• Detailed daily care logs and medication administration records (MARs) must be securely kept for all Medicaid-funded residents

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