Prior to 2022, a Virginia ALF AIT candidate could be precepted by a licensed ALF preceptor at any licensed ALF wherein that preceptor had appropriate permissions.  Current or would-be owner/operator of residential ALFs (with 8 residents) could train for the Administrator role in an environment they would be operating in, or in one like it. Further, growing organizations of residential ALFs could train and promote individuals from within to fulfill the Administrator role.  This is especially important, as the skillset required for an ALF Administrator in a residential ALF differs greatly from that required of an Administrator of a larger ALF.

Because AIT candidates may now only be precepted in larger ALFs, all new AIT candidates (if they are lucky enough to land one of these opportunities) receive training tailored exclusively to big-business operations. As result, residential ALF providers are left without appropriately trained Administrator candidates, as well as an inability to provide necessary training. The regulatory change in 2022 stifled the growth and stability of the Virginia residential ALF industry, while lending an unfair advantage to the big-business/corporate owners of larger ALFs.

18VAC95-30-170-B-4 must be amended to serve the needs of all ALF providers.