First, thank you to every single person who has signed, shared, and spoken out. This petition started as a way to tell Dale Painter’s story and expose the neglect happening inside Harrisonburg Health & Rehabilitation Center — but it has grown into something much larger. And today, I want to share an important step forward in this movement.
🚨 We Reached Out to State Leadership — and Got Silence
Over the last year, Candace Painter Campbell (Dale’s daughter) and I reached out directly to former Governor Youngkin, former Attorney General Miyares, and numerous members of the Virginia General Assembly and Senate.
We documented abuse.
We reported neglect.
We provided evidence.
We told them exactly what was happening inside facilities across Virginia.
All we received in return were automated “thank you for your email” messages.
Meanwhile, residents continued to suffer and frontline staff were left working in dangerous, impossible conditions.
❗ Youngkin’s Executive Order Is Not Real Reform
While it made for a great headline, the Executive Order announced last year does almost nothing to fix the actual problem. It creates yet another advisory group, produces more reports, spends more taxpayer money — but does not set staffing ratios, strengthen oversight, or create accountability.
In other words: more political theater, while the people we care for continue to be harmed.
✉️ Today We Took a Major Step Forward
Candace and I formally contacted Sam Kukich, Executive Director of Dignity for the Aged and a newly appointed member of the Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board.
If anyone understands what families endure, and has the courage to challenge this broken system, it’s her.
In our email, we shared:
Dale Painter’s story
The pattern of neglect we’ve documented
Dale’s Law (our proposed LTC staffing legislation)
Our Nursing Home Admissions Reform Plan
This Change.org petition
Our ongoing advocacy efforts across the state
We are hoping to collaborate, combine voices, and push for meaningful, enforceable reform.
🔥 This Is No Longer Just Two Caregivers Speaking Up
This is becoming a statewide movement to demand:
✔ Mandatory staffing ratios
✔ Real oversight
✔ Accountability for facilities that harm residents
✔ Transparency for families
✔ Protection for frontline caregivers
Your signatures are helping us build pressure and momentum — and we need you now more than ever.
💬 How You Can Help Right Now
1. Share the petition again today.
When signatures surge, legislators notice (even when they pretend not to).
2. Comment why you signed.
Personal stories build the record.
3. Invite one friend or coworker to sign.
One signature becomes two — and two becomes a movement.
🙏 Thank You for Standing With Us
Dale’s story deserves justice.
Residents deserve dignity.
Families deserve transparency.
Caregivers deserve safety.
Virginia deserves better.
And we’re not stopping until the Commonwealth finally does something about it.
— Victoria Jackson, CNA
Long-Term Care Advocate
Author of Dale’s Law
With Candace Painter Campbell, Daughter of Dale Painter & Licensed Caregiver