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
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.
Rosalynn Carter Institute Teams Up with Duke University
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) has teamed up with researchers at Duke University to better understand the needs of unpaid caregivers across America. Over the course of two years, the partnership – which is funded by Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation – will yield recommendations on how to better prepare and support caregivers, and measure outcomes from RCI programs.
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.
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