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What Is Adult Foster Care?

Adult foster care and adult foster homes are small licensed houses for adults who need daily help. Washington’s closest license is often an Adult Family Home.

Adult foster care is the name many states use for a small licensed home that provides room, board, and personal care to adults. An adult foster home is the house. People also search adult foster homes near me and how to start an adult foster home.

How it differs from an Adult Family Home

Washington licenses Adult Family Homes, not “adult foster homes,” for this kind of setting. If you live in Washington and searched adult foster care, start with what is an Adult Family Home and the Washington directory.

Adult foster care vs assisted living

Foster care and AFHs are typically houses with few residents. Assisted living is typically a larger building. Compare costs with quotes, not labels, in the comparison calculator.

How to start an adult foster home

Use the adult foster application in the state where the house sits. Training hours, bed caps, and fire codes differ. The how to start a group home article lists the shared sequence. The startup calculator still works as a cash worksheet.

Frequently asked questions

What is adult foster care?

Adult foster care is a state-licensed program where adults live in a small home and receive personal care. Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and others use this name.

What is an adult foster home?

An adult foster home is the house itself — usually a regular residence licensed for a handful of adults.

How do I start an adult foster home?

Follow that state’s adult foster license, not Washington’s AFH packet, unless you are actually opening in Washington.

Adult foster care vs assisted living?

Foster care is usually a house. Assisted living is usually a larger facility. Rules, rates, and staffing differ.