Advocacy
Caregivers serve as the invisible frontline of our nation’s healthcare system– providing compassionate care to tens of millions of people each year – and yet systems to support them are fragmented, inaccessible, and oftentimes nonexistent.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
We can change it, together.
RCI’s advocacy efforts seek to redesign structures and systems to proactively center caregivers’ health and wellbeing.
Centering Caregivers at the Federal Level
Despite a wide array of caregiver support programs scattered across the federal government, caregivers often struggle to navigate a disjointed system, fail to qualify for the types of benefits they need, and find that the resources available to them are not sufficient or timely.
Recognizing the need for better systems of support for America’s 53 million caregivers, our founder, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter made a bold proposal: establish a new Office of Caregiver Health within the federal government to elevate and center caregivers like never before.
– Rosalynn Carter
Office of Caregiver Health
Establishing a federal office focused on the health and wellbeing of caregivers would demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to acknowledging caregivers and their invaluable contributions to our nation’s health and economy.
An Office of Caregiver Health would elevate and focus unprecedented federal representation, investment, and coordination of caregiver support across federal agencies. Leadership at this level would ensure that family caregivers are represented in health policy, regulation, program, and budget negotiations. A centralized office can dismantle silos that are barriers to progress by creating ways to consider the universal needs of caregivers, regardless of care recipient condition and payer. With a focus on family caregivers, the Office of Caregiver Health could coordinate programs, reduce complexity, prevent duplication, and offer caregivers a clear point of entry for resources and supports.
Invisible Until the Pandemic, Family Caregivers Are Now on the Front lines
Office of Caregiver Health Support Letter to the White House
Add your organization/sign-on to the letter of support for the Office of Caregiver Health.
We greatly appreciate your support on this initiative.
Advocating for Change
Family caregivers represent a powerful constituency, capable of making meaningful impact. Together, we can build robust systems of support that truly meets caregiver needs, regardless of where they are in their journey. We can advocate for a world where every caregiver has access to financial support, respite, mental health services, support from a well-compensated care workforce, and so much more.
Together, we can build a better future for caregivers.
Join the 4Kinds Network
RCI’s caregiver advocacy and peer-support network. Through the 4Kinds Network, RCI is mobilizing former and current caregivers to harness their collective power so that they may be recognized, respected, and resourced in all the ways they deserve.
Advocacy and Action
K. Conwell Smith Joins Rosalynn Carter Institute as Director of Operation Family Caregiver
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving today announced that K. Conwell Smith is the new Director of Operation Family Caregiver (OFC) and Military Programs.
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving Calls on Congress to Protect Caregivers
Dr. Jennifer Olsen, the Executive Director of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI), sent a letter to Congressional leaders applauding the current caregiver provisions within the HEALS Act and HEROES Act and outlining additional steps necessary to further prioritize support for unpaid family caregivers.
Georgia Caregiver of the Year Awards
Each year, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving recognizes the incredible men and women who serve as caregivers in
Message from the Director: Reaching more caregivers
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving today released the following message from its executive director, Dr. Jennifer Olsen:
RCI Announces Exciting Partnerships to Support Military and Veteran Communities
RCI is proud to partner with Caregivers on the Homefront, RallyPoint, and the American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) to expand outreach to caregivers.
RCI, Sesame Workshop Reporting for Duty to Support Military Kids
AMERICUS, GEORGIA – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street,
Rural America Needs Help to Face COVID-19
Drive any country road in Georgia during harvest season, and you’ll pass roadside stands emblazoned with the words that could well serve as rural America’s cultural anthem: “Home Grown.”
Invisible Front Lines: Family Caregivers and Fighting COVID-19
The following opinion piece was posted on Ms. Magazine on April 21, 2020.
RCI, HFC Join Forces to Support Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Caregivers
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) and HFC announced today a partnership to assist families navigating the care of loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Message from the Director: Caregiving and COVID-19
We recognize you are probably being inundated with information about COVID-19 (the Coronavirus). We also recognize the everyday demands of caring for your loved one is already a full-time job, without adding decision-making on how to prepare for an infectious disease.
RCI Releases Candidates on Caregiving – a Tracker for the 2020 Presidential Election
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving today released the Candidates on Caregiving policy tracker. This one-stop guide summarizes where the candidates running for President of the United States stand on caregiving, respite care and long-term care.
RCI to Mark National Caregivers Day with #ThankACaregiver
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving marked National Caregivers Day on Friday, February 21, 2020 by thanking caregivers across its social media channels with the hashtag, #ThankACaregiver.
Other RCI Resources
Our Programs
Caregiving can be a fulfilling journey, but it can also be challenging – resulting in significant mental, physical, and financial strain on the caregiver.
Strategic Initiatives
Through a portfolio of research projects and strategic initiatives, RCI is working to answer key questions about caregiver demographics, health, needs, and existing supports.
WORKING WHILE CARING
One in five full time employees is also providing care for someone who is aging, ill, disabled, outside of thier paid job