The California Department of Health has issued a new All Facilities Letter reminding skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and intermediate care facilities (ICFs) that they must not prohibit residents' family members or representatives from forming a family council. These councils are private meetings of family members, friends, or representatives of two or more residents. Facilities must provide a common meeting room for the council to meet at least once a month during mutually agreed upon hours. They must also include notice of family council meetings in quarterly mailings and inform new residents' family members of the council's existence. Facilities must not interfere with the formation or promotion of a family council and must respond in writing to the council's concerns within 10 working days. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a class "B" citation.

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