What Is Adult Family Care?
Adult Family Care is a supported living option for older adults and individuals with disabilities who cannot live independently due to physical, mental, or emotional limitations. AFC providers open their homes to adults who need assistance, offering a safe, supportive, family-style environment that allows individuals to remain part of their community rather than entering institutional care.
These homes are sometimes referred to as Adult Foster Care homes.
Program Overview
West Virginia’s Adult Family Care Program began in 1970 in response to the need for supportive living options for adults who require assistance but do not need nursing home–level care. The program continues to evolve to meet the needs of vulnerable adults across the state.
Become an AFC Provider
Adult Family Care providers welcome eligible adults into their homes and support daily living needs.
Providers must:
- Complete an application process including fingerprinting, background checks, references, and a home study
- Meet safety, fire, and health inspection standards
- Participate in free introductory and annual training
- Provide three nutritious meals daily, basic toiletries, transportation to medical appointments, and a supportive living environment
Providers receive:
- A state subsidy to help cover care costs
- Ongoing support from DoHS APS workers and homefinding specialists
- The ability to choose clients they feel comfortable supporting
Clients are never placed without provider approval. Placement decisions are made collaboratively to ensure the best possible match.
Interested in Becoming a Provider?
Contact an Adult Family Care Homefinder for guidance through the approval process:
Email: BSSAFC@WV.gov
Phone: 304-269-6820
Eligibility for Adult Family Care
To qualify for placement, individuals must meet program criteria.
Basic Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be age 65 or older or
- Be age 18+ with a documented disability or verified need for supervised care
- Need supportive living to remain in or return to the community
- Be able to evacuate independently in an emergency
- Be able to perform personal care tasks with minimal assistance or be able to learn
- Be medically stable and not require acute or institutional care
- Be free from communicable diseases that pose risk to others
- Be willing to contribute financially to care if able
Applicants must also:
- Be unable to live alone safely
- Have no other suitable living arrangement available
Be able to participate in care planning or have a legal representative who can
Individuals Are Not Eligible If They:
- Require nursing home or highly structured institutional care
- Need acute medical or psychiatric treatment
- Are a danger to themselves or others
Are intoxicated by drugs or alcohol at admission
Financial Eligibility for State Subsidy
Some individuals may qualify for placement but not state financial assistance.
To qualify for subsidy payments, individuals must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a West Virginia resident
- Have liquid assets under $2,000
- Apply their income toward cost of care (except personal needs allowance)
If an applicant exceeds asset limits and cannot manage finances, a conservatorship evaluation may be required.
Request Services or Make a Referral
To request Adult Family Care services for yourself or someone else:
Call: 1-800-352-6513
Ask for a Request to Provide Services referral through centralized intake.
Please note: Availability is limited, and providers may decline placements even when applicants meet eligibility criteria.
Forms & Resources
Adult Family Care applications, background check forms, and required documents can be found on the/ Provider Forms page, the central hub for provider materials.
- AFC Provider Handbook
The application process:
- Completion of the application packet:
- Completion of the homestudy;
- Initial visit to the home
- Interview with the applicant
- Individual interviews with each family member
- Group interview with all household members together
- Be fingerprinted for background checks. These checks will include a criminal history background check and a protective services (APS/CPS) background check.
