AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
2005 AFH "Dear Provider" Letters
October 14, 2005
ADSA: AFH #2005-017
Changes to food handler permit requirements
Dear Adult Family Home Provider:
The legislature changed the requirements for Adult Family Home providers or employees to have and maintain food handler permits during the 2005 legislative session by amending chapter 70.128 RCW, Adult Family Homes, and chapter 69.06 RCW, Food and Beverage Establishment Workers’ Permits.
These new changes include:
- Individual food handler permits are not required for individuals who begin working in an adult family home after June 30, 2005, if they successfully complete the department’s basic or modified-basic caregiver training, and pass the food safety test.
- Licensed adult family home providers and employees who hold individual food handler permits prior to June 30, 2005 must obtain 0.5 hours of continuing education in food handling and safety each year, or must follow all requirements necessary to maintain and renew the existing food handler permit.
- An employer must have verification that each employee received information on safe food handling practices, and complies with food safety testing and training rules required under the new statutes.
The department has implemented food safety training and testing in the Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, Second Edition course, and has developed a continuing education program for food safety training for adult family homes. The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving certificate of completion has been changed to reflect the food safety training requirement.
It is your responsibility to read, understand, and comply with these regulations.
A copy of a “Food Safety Continuing Education Certificate” is attached for your use in documenting the annual required training. You may download the continuing education program and CE certificate online at www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/training/.
If you have any questions regarding the changes in the regulations, please contact Roger A. Woodside at (360) 725-3204 or by email at woodsr@dshs.wa.gov.
If you have any questions regarding the food handler safety training, please contact Barbara Hanneman at (360) 725-2540 or by email at hannebj@dshs.wa.gov.
Sincerely,
Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services
Enclosure
