AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

July 13, 2000

AASA: BH 2000-014
RE: Boarding Home Advisory Board

Dear Boarding Home Administrator and Interested Persons:

Based on recent legislation, an advisory board is being created to provide Aging and Disability Services Administration with advisory opinion regarding matters pertaining to the boarding home program (see enclosed). In response to an earlier solicitation for advisory board participants we received many questions. As a result, I am sending this letter to provide clarification and restart the nomination process.

Please review the information below regarding the operation of the boarding home advisory board. I invite you to submit (or resubmit) a nominee for potential membership using the attached form. Please complete the form even if you volunteered earlier.

The advisory board will have 16 members appointed by the secretary or a designee. To ensure that diverse perspectives are represented, the boarding home advisory board will consist of two representatives from each of the following categories. Alternates may not attend meetings in lieu of appointed members. At least one of the two appointed representatives from each group should be available to attend all advisory board meetings to communicate with, and speak on behalf of, the group he or she is representing:

• The Resident Councils of Washington (RCW): one representative from the council and one boarding home resident.
• Family members of boarding home residents.
• The Washington Health Care Association (WHCA): one representative from the association and one boarding home provider or employee.
• The Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging (WAHSA): one representative from the association and one boarding home provider or employee.
• The Northwest Assisted Living Facilities Association (Nor-ALFA): one representative from the association and one boarding home provider or employee.
• The Long-Term Care Ombudmsan Program.
• The consumer advocacy organization for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or mental illness.
• A consumer advocacy organization for people with a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury.

Randomly, members will be appointed for a one-year or for a two-year term. At the conclusion of the second year, operation of the advisory board will be reviewed and alterations may be made to enhance effectiveness. Depending on the topic to be discussed, the department may invite other representatives to attend meetings in addition to the named members of the advisory board.

Before recommending a candidate for membership, please ensure the individual is willing and able to spend the time necessary to prepare for and attend daylong meetings in the Olympia area at least four times per year. It is anticipated that subgroup meetings, or emergent board meetings, will occasionally be necessary, also.

Aging and Disability Services Administration will consider reimbursement for the resident representative and family member representatives for travel and, if needed, attendant care to attend the board meetings. All other board members or their organizations must pay their own expenses related to advisory board participation.

Please submit your nomination(s) using the enclosed form before July 31, 2000. If you have questions, contact Lori Melchiori at 360-725-2589. Appointments will be made and all candidates will be notified by August 7. The first advisory board meeting will be held August 31, 2000.

Sincerely,

Patricia K. Lashway, Director
Residential Care Services Division

Enclosures