(September 2016) - The Washington State Department of Commerce and Department of Social and Health Services are pleased to announce a new, FREE service to streamline the search for vacancies in licensed adult family homes and assisted living facilities.

Washington’s Residential Facility Finder has been launched in direct response to a legislative request for a friendlier, easier way to locate facility accommodations. It is available through the highly successful statewide housing locator portal HousingSearchNW.org, is powered by Emphasys Software and offers live support by the nonprofit, toll-free Socialserve.com support center.

Adult family home and boarding home providers of licensed facilities can enter information in real-time about vacancies, including photos and critical details about services, amenities and special accommodations. An easy-to-use search returns vacancy information based on specific needs and will help residential care facilities fill openings quickly and efficiently. Because information is easy to update, either online 24/7 or with live support via toll-free phone or email, providers can also expect fewer calls on beds that are no longer available.

In addition to 24/7 consumer access, referral agencies across the state can now add this service to their toolkit when working with elderly and disabled clients. The system is FREE to use and captures more than 50 important facility details, from accepted funding sources to medical supports.

We’re excited to offer a central place to share vital information about residential-program vacancies. This new service will help special populations, case managers, and families who, in the past, have not had one place to go to find the accommodations they need.

Go to HousingSearchNW.org and click, “Find or List a Residential Facility,” or call 1-877-496-4952 (toll-free, M-F, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific Time) to access this special service. Free training is available for service agency staff, housing coordinators, support providers and residential care providers. If you’re interested in scheduling training, please contact Nina Miller at nmiller@emphasys-software.com.