1-2 Bed AFH Certification for IRIS Providers: Using the AFH Provider Portal
1-2 bed adult family home (AFH) providers for the IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) program must use the new AFH provider portal to become or remain certified by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
Which 1-2 bed IRIS AFHs must use the AFH provider portal?
All 1-2 bed IRIS AFHs that wish to be certified or recertified by DHS must complete a certification review using the AFH provider portal. This includes the following:
- Existing providers who wish to transfer certification from another agency to initial DHS certification and are already serving at least one IRIS participant
- New providers seeking initial certification who plan to admit an IRIS participant following certification
- Existing providers already certified by DHS who are seeking recertification
How do I become a certified AFH for the IRIS program?
1. Get approval from DHS for certification review.
DHS must confirm that the provider meets one of the above criteria before granting access to the AFH provider portal. Providers must email DHS at DHSIRISAFH@dhs.wisconsin.gov to request a certification review.
Providers will be asked to provide the following information:
- Name of the IRIS participant the AFH provider serves or plans to serve
- Name and address of the 1-2 bed IRIS AFH
- Provider full name
- Name, email address, and phone number of the IRIS Consultant working with the participant
- Name of the IRIS Consulting Agency where the participant is enrolled
- Date when the participant took, or plans to take, occupancy in the 1-2 bed IRIS AFH
Providers who are currently certified will be asked to confirm every year that they serve at least one IRIS participant. This qualifies them for DHS recertification.
After confirming the above information, DHS will email the provider instructions for accessing the AFH provider portal. While awaiting these instructions, the provider is encouraged to do the following:
2. Review and comply with standards and benchmarks.
- Review and comply with the Wisconsin Medicaid Standards for Certified 1-2 Bed Adult Family Homes, P-00638 (PDF)
- Review and comply with the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule Benchmarks: 1-2 Bed Adult Family Homes (AFH), P-02060 (PDF)
3. Prepare documents for uploading to AFH provider portal.
The provider will be required to upload supportive documents for review in accordance with the applicable standards and benchmarks. Items listed below and marked with an asterisk (*) must be signed by the participant and/or their legal decision maker. Documentation must include, but is not limited to:
- Background checks and Background Information Disclosure (BID) forms
- Current health records and Tuberculosis (TB) tests
- Training records
- Medication Administration Records (MAR)
- AFH Person-Centered Service and Support Plan*
- Long-Term Care (ICA) Person-Centered Service and Support Plan
- Program Statement*
- Service Agreement including House Rules*
- Current insurance policies (auto, home or renters, liability)
- 30-Day Operating Funds document
4. Use the AFH provider portal to initiate the review process.
DHS will email instructions for accessing the portal to providers who have not used it before. Once logged in, providers can:
- Find templates and resources to achieve compliance with the:
- 1-2 bed AFH standards
- 1-2 bed AFH benchmarks
- Federal HCBS Settings Rule
- Complete the AFH application and assessment
- Upload supportive documents
- Verify the date of scheduled onsite review
- Complete Corrective Action Plans, if applicable
5. Receive the certificate.
Upon completion of the process outlined above, the reviewer will approve or deny the certification. If approved, the provider will receive a 1-2 bed adult family home certificate. This certificate is valid for one year from the date on which it is issued (unless otherwise specified.) 1-2 bed IRIS AFHs must have this certificate to receive Medicaid waiver funding through the IRIS program.
Contact information
To request a 1-2 bed IRIS AFH certification review, email DHSIRISAFH@dhs.wisconsin.gov or call 608-261-6393.