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
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.
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
What Do Working Caregivers Want? Rosalynn Carter Institute Aims to Answer the Question through New Employment Initiative.
AMERICUS, GEORGIA – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) recently launched a new initiative around working caregivers to
The Rosalynn Carter Institute Joins the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative’s National COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative
New York, NY – The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative today announced new PSAs as part of their COVID-19 Vaccine
The John and Betty Pope Caregivers Scholarship
The John and Betty Pope Caregivers Scholarship is designed to support students engaged in informal caregiving roles, while helping
Rosalynn Carter Institute Celebrates National Caregivers Day
AMERICUS, GEORGIA – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) will join caregivers, advocates, and policymakers on February 19 for National
From Caregiving to Caregiver: Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Strengthens Effort to Better Advocate for Caregivers
AMERICUS, GEORGIA – Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter today marked the conclusion of National Family Caregivers Month with a major
Rosalynn Carter Institute Names Georgia Caregivers of the Year, Celebration Marks National Family Caregiver Month
AMERICUS, Ga. – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) and Seniorlink today announced the winners of the 2020 Georgia
Rosalynn Carter Institute Advocates for Caregivers with President-Elect Transition Team and COVID-19 Task Force
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) today submitted recommendations to President-Elect Joe Biden’s transition team and his COVID-19 Task Force, encouraging
Rosalynn Carter Institute and Wounded Warrior Project to Create Connections for Military Families
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) is proud to announce a powerful new partnership with Wounded Warrior Project®
From Crisis to Opportunity: The Rosalynn Carter Institute Identifies Public Health Approaches to Better Serve Caregiver Health & Well-Being
Action Plan Calls for Robust Strategy to Support 53 Million Americans AMERICUS, GEORGIA – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) today
Looking Back: Policy Changes Since ‘Averting the Caregiving Crisis’
Appendix for Recalibrating for Caregivers A decade ago, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) published Averting the Caregiving
Rosalynn Carter Institute and Blue Star Families to Explore Caregiving in Military Families
AMERICUS, GEORGIA – The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) is teaming up with Blue Star Families to promote and expand upon the 2020 Military
Caregivers in Crisis: Rosalynn Carter Institute Report Sounds the Alarm on Caregiving in the Time of COVID
Just days before World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) today released “Caregivers in Crisis,” a report on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of caregivers.
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