To: Michigan Legislature, Governor of Michigan, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and Michigan Attorney General

Petition

We, the undersigned Michigan residents, families, advocates, caregivers, and concerned citizens, call upon the State of Michigan to strengthen the laws, oversight, enforcement, transparency, and protections governing Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes.

Michigan’s vulnerable adults deserve more than promises of protection. They deserve a system that actively prevents neglect, abuse, exploitation, retaliation, and financial misconduct—and responds quickly and effectively when allegations arise.

Michigan already establishes important rights for AFC residents, including the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to be free from exploitation, to be protected and safe, and to voice grievances without fear of retaliation. However, residents and families need stronger safeguards to ensure those rights are consistently protected in practice. (Michigan.gov)

We are asking Michigan to strengthen AFC protections by:

1. Establishing stronger penalties for substantiated abuse, neglect, exploitation, and intentional mistreatment.

When serious violations are substantiated, consequences should be meaningful and proportionate to the harm caused to vulnerable residents.

2. Strengthening protections against financial exploitation and fraud.

AFC residents can be financially vulnerable. Michigan should strengthen safeguards against unauthorized use of resident funds, deceptive financial practices, improper charges, coercion, theft, and other forms of financial exploitation.

3. Requiring stronger financial accountability when public funds are involved.

Where AFC providers receive Medicaid, state, county, or other public funding for a resident’s care, Michigan should strengthen documentation, auditing, and accountability requirements to help ensure that public money is being used for the care and services for which it was provided.

4. Strengthening independent monitoring and unannounced inspections.

Serious neglect or mistreatment may not always be visible during scheduled inspections. Michigan should increase the use of meaningful, risk-based, unannounced inspections and follow-up investigations when credible concerns exist.

5. Creating stronger protections against retaliation.

Residents, family members, employees, and other individuals who report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unsafe conditions should have meaningful protection from retaliation, intimidation, harassment, or interference with legitimate complaints.

6. Improving complaint transparency and follow-up.

Michigan law already provides a process for requesting an investigation of an AFC facility and requires the department to provide complainants with findings or a status report. (Michigan Legislature)

We ask Michigan to strengthen this system by establishing clearer timelines, improved communication with complainants, documented follow-up for serious allegations, and greater transparency regarding substantiated violations.

7. Strengthening resident access to independent advocacy.

Residents should have meaningful access to an independent advocate, attorney, ombudsman, or other representative who can help them understand their rights, report concerns, and pursue remedies without depending solely upon the facility involved.

8. Strengthening background checks and accountability for individuals responsible for vulnerable adults.

Michigan should continue strengthening screening and accountability requirements for owners, licensees, administrators, employees, and other individuals who have substantial responsibility for AFC residents.

9. Creating stronger consequences for repeat offenders.

Providers or responsible individuals with repeated substantiated violations should face escalating consequences, including enhanced monitoring, corrective-action requirements, restrictions on operation, suspension, revocation, or other remedies authorized by law.

10. Creating a stronger statewide AFC accountability system.

Michigan should consider establishing a publicly accessible system that allows families and prospective residents to better understand a facility’s licensing history, substantiated violations, corrective actions, and current compliance status, while protecting confidential resident information.

Our Message Is Simple:

A vulnerable adult should never become a source of income at the expense of their safety, dignity, health, freedom, or financial security.

AFC homes provide an important service to Michigan communities, and responsible providers deserve recognition and support. But the State must also ensure that residents are protected when a provider fails to meet required standards.

We are not asking Michigan to punish responsible AFC providers.

We are asking Michigan to protect vulnerable residents and hold accountable anyone who abuses, neglects, exploits, or financially takes advantage of them.

Every resident deserves:

● Safe housing

● Adequate food and personal care

● Appropriate medical attention

● Protection from abuse and neglect

● Protection from financial exploitation

● Privacy and dignity

● The ability to communicate privately

● Access to family, advocates, attorneys, and healthcare professionals

● Freedom to report concerns without retaliation

● A meaningful process for obtaining justice when their rights are violated

Michigan’s existing resident-rights framework recognizes many of these protections. (Michigan.gov)

Now we need stronger enforcement, stronger accountability, and stronger laws to make those protections meaningful.

We call upon Michigan lawmakers and state agencies to listen to AFC residents, families, advocates, and survivors and work toward comprehensive reforms that place resident safety and dignity at the center of Michigan’s Adult Foster Care system.

Sign this petition if you believe vulnerable adults deserve better.

Protect Michigan’s AFC residents.
Strengthen accountability.
Stop exploitation.
Protect their dignity.
Protect their money.
Protect their lives.