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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 AFH providers who wish to be certified or recertified by DHS must complete a certification review using the AFH provider portal. This includes:

  • Initial DHS certification for:
    • New providers who plan to serve a specific IRIS participant in the AFH and have already been approved by DHS for a certification review.
    • Existing providers who are currently certified by another agency, are actively serving at least one IRIS participant in the AFH, and wish to apply for initial DHS certification.
  • DHS recertification for:
    • Existing providers who are currently certified by DHS and are actively serving at least one IRIS participant in the AFH.

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
  • If a Family Care member lives in the AFH, provide:
    • Name of the MCO whose member lives in the AFH
    • The reason the MCO is not certifying the home
    • Name and email address of the MCO member’s care manager
  • The names of any licensing or certifying agencies that have previously certified or licensed the AFH
  • The names of any licensing or certifying agencies that have denied, non-renewed, suspended, or revoked the AFH’s license or certificate; also include:
    • Reason for denial, non-renewal, suspension, or revocation
    • Date of denial, non-renewal, suspension, or revocation
    • Name and address of AFH that received the denial, non-renewal, suspension or revocation

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 DHS confirms the above information, eligible providers will receive 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.

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 (obtained from the ICA)
  • Essential Services Provider Agreement form (obtained from the ICA)
  • Modification Form* (obtained from the ICA)
  • Needs Panel* (obtained from the ICA)
  • Program Statement*
  • Service Agreement including House Rules*
  • Resident Rights and Grievance Procedure*
  • Current insurance policies (auto, home or renters, liability)
  • 30-Day Operating Funds document
  • Complete list of AFH employees including provider and/or operator

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
  • 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.

Contact information

To request a 1-2 bed IRIS AFH certification review, email DHSIRISAFH@dhs.wisconsin.gov or call 608-261-6393.

Related pages

Glossary

 
Last revised September 8, 2026