About Us

Theresa’s Law Advocates is a coalition of educators, aging and medical professionals, long-term care consultants, and families whose loved ones have experienced abuse, neglect, and exploitation in Assisted Living (AL).

Our goals:

ADVOCATE to strengthen regulations to match the needs & safety of residents with increasing acuity levels.
EDUCATE policymakers & the public on the lack of transparency in regards to the variability of care & services offered.
LEGISLATE best practices for a curriculum of training & standards for competency in administrating medications.
ERADICATE the normalization of minimal training & standards and have consequences for wrongdoing.
YOUR ADVOCACY. Make your voice heard. See sample email & find your Representative here.

The Genesis of Theresa's Law

Theresa’s Law came about because of the preventable harm and injury that was experienced by a family in an Adult Foster Care (AFC) home, one type of assisted living, in Michigan. This family and many others have found the state authority to have inadequate regulations and consequences for those who commit serious and frequent violations. Learn more here.

Our Supporters

Our Friends

Our heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to the following individuals who have given their time, treasure, and talent to help us along our journey. Thank you for answering the call to show up and speak up for those without a voice. We couldn't do this without you!

In alphabetical order:

Rosalie Austin, Partners Advancing Self Direction Council, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
Chuck Austin, Community Leader, GM Retirees, Advocate
Valerie Austin, LMSW, Instructor, Central Michigan University
Cassandra Barragan, Ph.D.,MSW, Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University
Judy Bottum, Family Advocate
Kathy Bradley, Founder & CEO Our Mother's Voice, Consumer Voice Leadership Council
Justine Bykowski, MA, Michigan Medicine, Long-Term Care Specialist and Advocate
Steven Erickson, Pharm.D. Professor, University of Michigan
Candace Esham, Founder of Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition
Sheri Harris, Director of Advocacy and Planning - Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Kendrick Heinlein, CEO, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
Phyllis Herzig, Geriatric Social Worker, Member of Washtenaw County Commission on Aging
Thomas Hickson, Jr., VP Public Policy and Advocacy - Michigan Catholic Conference
Dakima Jackson, Former Ombudsman and Direct Care Worker
Annemarie Kelly, JD, LLM, Associate Professor - Eastern Michigan University
Sam Kukich, Director - Dignity for the Aged
Jen Lendrum, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Chair of Sociology, Aquinas College
Christina Marsack-Topelowski, Ph.D., LMSW , Associate Professor - Eastern Michigan University
Nancy Martens, Ph.D., RN, College of Nursing, -Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology
Rebecca Mastee, J.D., Policy Advocate - Michigan Catholic Conference
Kathleen McCartney, Volunteer Ombudsman, RN, Advocate, Dignity for the Aged MI
Jamie Nicholson, Founder, Save our Seniors
Kimberley Noyce, Former AFC Owner, Advocate
Dana Paglia-King, LLMSW, Director of Policy & Advocacy - National Association of Social Workers - Michigan (NASW-MI)
Julie Piantedosi, Advocate, Dignity for the Aged MA
Salli Pung, State Long Term Care Ombudsman
Susie Singer-Carter, Writer, Playwright, Producer, No Country for Old People, ROAR Founder & Advocate
Patty Soma, Chair of the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency's Older Adult Advisory Council, Advocate for Seniors and Disabled
Kathy Sheridan, Family Advocate
Kris Sundberg, Executive Director, Eldercare Advocates
Sarah Twitchell, PhD, LISW-S, Associate Professor - Madonna University
Gina White, LPN, Family Advocate
Racquel White, Certified Senior Advisor, Founder of Transcendent Healthcare Navigation LLC
Rosemary Zimba, University of Michigan, Retired Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing Ph.D., RN, and Advocate