American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)

What a great, inspiring day yesterday. I had the opportunity to represent American Association of Caregiving Youth at the Caregiver Nation Summit in Washington, DC, hosted by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC). It was such a meaningful event, bringing together caregivers, advocates, and policymakers to focus on the real issues family caregivers face every day. I was grateful to connect with some amazing individuals from the AACY network, including a few I had the chance to meet in person for the first time. Pictured are: Brian Duke, Co-Chair of AACY National Advisory Council and former Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Fawn A. Cothran PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, FGSA, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, FGSA, Hunt Research Director at NAC. Maria Miranda, LMSW, Social Worker and AACY National Advisory Council Member. Maggie Ornstein, PhD, MPH, MA, from Sarah Lawrence College, and a member of the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative. Sharon Hamill, PhD, Executive Director, CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care, California State University, San Marcos, also part of the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative. The conversations covered everything from the rising costs of eldercare to workforce challenges, with a spotlight on policy solutions like caregiver tax credits, Medicaid expansion, and Medicare-reimbursed caregiver training. These discussions are especially important during National Family Caregivers Month, and it was energizing to see so many people committed to creating positive change. A special thanks to Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, and to the entire NAC team, sponsors, and speakers who made this event possible. Thank you also for recognizing/including the over 5.4 million Caregiving Youth aged 18 and under who are an essential part of the caregiving economy. The connections were genuine, and the work being done is so important. I look forward to seeing the impact of these conversations as we continue to advocate for caregivers of all ages. Also, it was great to see Steven Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, who was a panel speaker at the event. His organization’s work in supporting military and Caregiving Youth through Hidden Helpers is invaluable. I always appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge his and his team's contributions to the caregiving community, especially because they always include the kids in the caregiving equation. #CaregivingYouth #CaregiverNationSummit #Caregiving #PolicyChange #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #KidsAreCaregiversToo Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD

Family caregiving by all ages and for all ages! So thankful to Rep. Salazar for her support of this federal resolution!

We are deeply grateful to Diana Felner, Senior Director of Caregiver and Mental Health Policy at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, for inviting American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) to the Congressional Briefing on Family Caregivers: See the Unseen held today at the Longworth House Office Building. The event was introduced by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., whose commitment to caregivers set a thoughtful and impactful tone for the discussion. It was a privilege to join together in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. During this powerful event, we had the privilege of meeting Elizabeth Rotenberry, Senior Manager of the Fellows Program at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Elizabeth recently shared her family’s moving story featured on 60 Minutes about Military Caregiving Youth, highlighting the often unseen struggles of young caregivers. The link to the episode is here: https://lnkd.in/eBCDMF4r. Her insights into the impact of caregiving on children were both enlightening and deeply touching. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. We also reconnected with Marvell Adams Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Caregiver Action Network, and a former Caregiving Youth himself. Marvell has been an incredible friend and advocate for our work at AACY, and his voice is invaluable in the fight for recognition and support for all caregivers and is also influential in amplifying Caregiving Youth recognition and supportive actions. Being in the same room with so many dedicated advocates and caregivers, many of whom were once Caregiving Youth themselves, reinforced the importance of our mission. It’s about recognition, support, and pushing for systemic change for all caregivers across the United States, including our youngest caregivers. To everyone who sees us, who supports us, and includes us - thank you. Your recognition means the world. #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #HiddenHeroes #HiddenHelpers #KidsAreCaregiversToo #Caregiving

Our heartfelt thanks to the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) for honoring Managing Partner Gary S. Lesser and our Firm with a Community Caregiver Award today. The work being done by Dr. Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD and the team at AACY to support youth under the age of 18 who are caregivers to chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled family or household members is remarkable. We are proud to support this incredible organization and thank Firm Partner Jeffrey Gordon for the great work he does serving as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors. We also extend our congratulations and thanks to fellow award recipients Pamela Higer-Polani, Esq. and Superintendent Mike Burke. AACY is the ONLY program of its kind in the country, and it has served more than 2,500 caregiving youth and their families. They offer programs and resources in 45 middle and high schools through a formal partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County. Their program's 10-year high school graduation rate average is 98.3% with most grads going on to post-secondary education, often in healthcare. Learn more about AACY and ways that you can support their efforts at www.aacy.org.

Our heartfelt thanks to the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) for honoring Managing Partner Gary S. Lesser and our Firm with a Community Caregiver Award today. The work being done by Dr. Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD and the team at AACY to support youth under the age of 18 who are caregivers to chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled family or household members is remarkable. We are proud to support this incredible organization and thank Firm Partner Jeffrey Gordon for the great work he does serving as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors. We also extend our congratulations and thanks to fellow award recipients Pamela Higer-Polani, Esq. and Superintendent Mike Burke. AACY is the ONLY program of its kind in the country, and it has served more than 2,500 caregiving youth and their families. They offer programs and resources in 45 middle and high schools through a formal partnership with The School District of Palm Beach County. Their program's 10-year high school graduation rate average is 98.3% with most grads going on to post-secondary education, often in healthcare. Learn more about AACY and ways that you can support their efforts at www.aacy.org.

We can’t help young caregivers if we don’t know where they are. Identifying them is the first step to providing support. It’s not complicated—it just needs to be done. Caregiving Youth Need to Be Counted: Schools across the U.S. need to implement programs to recognize students who are caregivers. This involves: ?? Surveys or questionnaires can be designed to identify caregiving responsibilities discreetly. Questions about caregiving could easily be added to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or included in school health forms. ?? Training for teachers and school staff to spot signs of caregiving roles among students, such as frequent absences, signs of stress, or changes in behavior. Self-Identification: ?? Encourage a culture where caregiving students and their families feel safe to self-identify their roles. This can be done through informational sessions at schools, which explain what it means to be a young caregiver and the support available. ?? Confidential reporting mechanisms or points of contact within the school where students can discuss their situation privately. Building Support Systems: Once identified, these children need tailored support: In Schools: ?? Flexible attendance policies. ?? Access to counseling services that understand the unique challenges of young caregivers. ?? Academic support to help them keep up with their education despite their additional responsibilities. In Healthcare Settings: ?? Special considerations for scheduling appointments that might conflict with school hours. ?? Healthcare providers could offer educational materials or resources specifically for young caregivers. ?? Integration with community health programs that can provide respite care or in-home support services. Every child caring for a family member deserves to be seen and supported. Let’s start there. #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #CaregivingYouth #KidsAreCaregiversToo #Caregiving #Healthcare #Children #MentalHealth

Today is the Last Day of National Caregiving Youth Week | As National Family Caregivers Month continues, we’re wrapping up National Caregiving Youth Week, a time when Congress has once again recognized the 5.4 million Caregiving Youth in the United States. We’re incredibly grateful to Representatives Lois Frankel, María Elvira Salazar, and Barbara Lee for introducing a bipartisan resolution declaring November 11-17, 2024, as National Caregiving Youth Week. We deeply appreciate this resolution and the recognition it brings, and we know much more is needed. We hope this resolution inspires the introduction and passage of meaningful legislation to provide tangible support and resources for Caregiving Youth in schools and beyond. Thank you to everyone who liked, shared, and engaged with our posts throughout this week. Your support amplifies the voices of Caregiving Youth and brings us closer to turning acknowledgment into action. Let’s carry this momentum into 2025 as we continue to push for legislative efforts to formally support Caregiving Youth. This week has been about raising awareness, sparking conversations, and advocating for the recognition and resources Caregiving Youth deserve. Thank you for being part of this important effort. Together, we can create real change for these remarkable young people. Read the press release and full resolution here: https://lnkd.in/evpNWsJv #CaregivingYouth #NationalCaregivingYouthWeek #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #KidsAreCaregiversToo #ThankYouCongress #USCongress

It's Friday. I'd love for you to take two minutes to ponder this video. In the UK, the topic of young carers has reached Parliament. Mark Sewards MP revealed, "They interviewed 65 young carer agencies and spoke with tens of thousands of young carers." Sixty-five agencies in the UK dedicated solely to young carers. My jaw dropped - 65 agencies in the UK dedicated to young carers... They interviewed *65 young carer agencies* and talked to tens of thousands of young carers. This MP briefly highlights three tough questions about how caregiving affects young carers’ education and what needs to change, based on a study released by Carers Trust. The challenges young caregivers face in the UK are just as real here in America. But here's the difference: The UK is working on the issue. The United States is not. The UK has government funding and agencies that support young caregivers, and it's still not enough to meet the needs. In the U.S., there's just ONE program addressing these issues - the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY). AACY's Caregiving Youth Project, based in Palm Beach County Schools, Florida, is THE ONLY program in our nation providing direct support to young caregivers in schools. This program is funded solely through (mostly local) donations and small grants. This isn't enough. It's time for America to step up and ensure young caregivers across our country receive the support they deserve. Hopefully, when all is said and done, the U.S. government will provide tangible funding and resources for our Caregiving Youth population. The need is real. #CaregivingYouth #KidsAreCaregiversToo #AwareTheyCare #CareCantWait #America #USA #Caregiving Andy McGowan Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD Feylyn Lewis, PhD American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)

Reps. Frankel, Salazar, and Lee Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Caregiving Youth Week "Press Release: Washington, D.C. – November 14, 2024 – Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), and Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) introduced a bipartisan resolution today to designate November 11-17, 2024, as National Caregiving Youth Week. This resolution aims to honor the significant contributions of youth under 18 who provide essential care to family members in need." To view the full press release or read the resolution, visit: https://lnkd.in/eszQ9yKN Today, we're thrilled to share that Representatives Lois Frankel, María Elvira Salazar, and Barbara Lee have introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize November 11-17, 2024, as National Caregiving Youth Week for the third consecutive year. This recognition means so much for the over 5.4 million Caregiving Youth across the U.S., honoring their dedication as they balance school, life, and caregiving for loved ones affected by aging, illness, or disability. The resolution: -Supports the designation of National Caregiving Youth Week; -Recognizes Caregiving Youth in the United States as an underserved and underrecognized population; -Encourages educators, policymakers, health care professionals, and others to become more familiar with the work, needs, and contributions of Caregiving Youth; and -Supports Federal initiatives to provide up-to-date nationwide research on Caregiving Youth. Our sincere thanks go out to every representative and supporter involved in championing this resolution. Your commitment to acknowledging the essential role of Caregiving Youth is profoundly meaningful, helping bring visibility and awareness to their unique challenges and contributions. At the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY), we are proud to stand behind this resolution as a meaningful stride forward. We are hopeful that in 2025, this momentum will lead to further legislative progress, unlocking vital resources and support for the remarkable young caregivers who deserve recognition and assistance. To view the full press release or read the resolution, visit: https://lnkd.in/eszQ9yKN Together, let’s continue to uplift these young heroes this #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth! Learn more at aacy.org. #CaregivingYouth #AACY #NationalCaregivingYouthWeek #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #BipartisanSupport @ Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD Brian Duke Sara Poole

World Kindness Day: Let’s Show Kindness to Our Caregiving Youth ???? Today, on #WorldKindnessDay, let’s remember the incredible kindness of the 5.4 million Caregiving Youth in the United States—and the countless numbers around the world—who quietly dedicate themselves to caring for family members in need. Their compassion often sets them apart from their peers, yet this difference can sometimes lead to bullying or feeling misunderstood. These young caregivers shoulder responsibilities far beyond their years, making sacrifices and offering care that few fully understand. Today, let’s take a stand to not only recognize their kindness but also to show them kindness in return. A simple act of support, understanding, or friendship can mean the world to them. Join us in making sure our Caregiving Youth feel seen, valued, and respected for all that they do. They deserve nothing less. ?? #CaregivingYouth #YoungCarers #BeKind #WorldKindnessDay #ActsOfKindness #SpreadKindness #BeKind #KindnessMatters #ChooseKindness #RandomActsOfKindness