Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR)

Residential Care Services (RCS) is a division of the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA).  In addition to regulating facilities licensed and/or certified to provide care to vulnerable adults, RCS also offers an independent review for providers who have been issued citations and/or enforcement actions.  This process is called Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and was offered to all provider types when it became law in 2002.

Initially, the IDR process involved a review by the Field Manager responsible for supervising the RCS staff person who issued the citation or enforcement.  In 2007, RCS centralized the process, hiring two IDR Program Managers to conduct the reviews.  The division established policies restricting participation of staff who had been involved in making the original decision to issue a citation and/or fine.  This current process has been in place since that time.

For additional questions, please contact us at RCSIDR@dshs.wa.gov

Facility IDR Information

Adult Family Home IDRs

In November of 2019, RCS began a six-month pilot in which a voluntary panel system was recruited to conduct IDRs. The pilot was successful based on evaluation and feedback from participants and stakeholders, resulting in a permanent change in the AFH IDR process. (Refer to Dear Provider Letter AFH# 2020-047)

IDR Program will continue to use the panel process for AFH IDRs, and it will also provide the option for a provider to choose the previous traditional process (meeting one-on-one with an IDR Program Manager).

**Volunteers are required to make the IDR panel a continued success.  The IDR unit is continuing to accept applications for volunteers.  If you are a provider or consumer interested in participating on an AFH IDR Panel, please submit a brief letter of your interest along with a volunteer application (DSHS 15-186).

You can submit documents to:

RCSIDR@dshs.wa.gov or via fax (360) 725-3225.The IDR unit will be collecting IDR panel application materials on an ongoing basis. If you have questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Laci Traulsen, Volunteer Coordinator, (360)725-3218.

Related Documents

Assisted Living Facility IDRs
Enhanced Service Facility IDRs
Nursing Home IDRs

In August 2022, Residential Care Services (RCS) launched a pilot project using a panel rather than specialized RCS staff for Nursing Home (NH) IDRs.

**Panel Volunteers are Critical to the Project’s Success**

The panel convenes monthly and will include one NH provider, one RCS staff, one service consumer (for example, a resident, resident representative, ombudsman etc.) and a panel chair.   

RCS is looking for NH Administrators or Nurse Managers with clinical experience and a good working knowledge of Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) regulations and interpretive guidelines to volunteer for the panel.  We are also looking for residents, resident representatives, family members or ombuds to serve as consumer representatives.  Individuals who serve on the panel must:

  • Attend IDR Training;
  • Become familiar with and understand the SNF regulations;
  • Commit one day each month for IDR panel review meetings;
  • Commit to reviewing confidential materials to prepare for the IDR review meeting;
  • Listen to provider and RCS staff presentations;
  • Make impartial recommendations based on information given during written and verbal presentations.

Recruitment for these appointments are ongoing. 

The pilot project has been extended through August 2023. After the pilot project is complete, stakeholders and RCS staff will review the panel process for effectiveness and implementation.

If you are a provider or consumer interested in participating on an NH IDR Panel, please submit a brief letter of your interest along with a volunteer application (DSHS 15-186).

Submit documents to: RCSIDR@dshs.wa.gov or via fax (360) 725-3225

Thank you in advance for your willingness to participate in the selection process.  If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Rebecca Fueston, IDR Unit Manager, (360) 725-3203 or Laci Traulsen, Volunteer Coordinator, (360)725-3218.

Related Documents

Certified Community Residential Services and Support Facility IDRs
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) IDRs