Adult Family Homes
An adult family home is defined in Wis. Stat. § 50.01(1)(b) as a place where three or four adults who aren't related to the operator reside. They receive care, treatment, or services that are above the level of room and board. It may include up to seven hours per week of nursing care per resident.
Finding and Choosing an Adult Family Home
Contact us
For questions regarding adult family homes, contact the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA):
- Email dhswebmaildqa@dhs.wisconsin.gov, attention Bureau of Assisted Living.
- Call 608-266-8481.
Regional offices
Contact the Bureau of Assisted Living regional offices about:
- Regulations for adult family homes.
- Complaints about adult family homes.
- The compliance history of an adult family home.
Assisted Living Forum
The Assisted Living Forum brings together assisted living professionals in Wisconsin to discuss important issues and trends.
Assisted Living Survey Guide
DQA surveys assisted living facilities to review compliance with administrative codes, standards, and state statutes that apply to that facility. DQA also responds to complaints it receives against providers.
Opening an Adult Family Home
Please review the application process if you are interested in opening an adult family home.
Fire reporting
All fires in a licensed health or residential care facility in Wisconsin must be reported to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) within 72 hours (check specific rule requirements). To report a fire, complete and submit the Health Care Facility Fire Report, F-62500.
For questions regarding fire reporting, contact DQA Fire Authority:
- Email dhsdqaplanreview@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
- Call 608-266-8016.
Additional information is provided in DQA numbered memo 23-002 (PDF).
Related topics
- Interested in opening a one- to two-bed adult family home? Visit the on the Division of Medicaid Services (DMS) webpage on 1-2 Bed Adult Family Homes.
- Visit our webpage on Finding and Choosing an Assisted Living Facility to find the Consumer Guide to Health Care, including provider directories.
- Sign up to get updates through our DQA Email Subscription Service.