Amplifying the Power of Family Caregiver Voices: A National Call to Action
Grantee: Community Catalyst, Inc.
Partners: LeadingAge LTSS Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston
Strategy goal: Increase awareness of and outreach to family caregivers
Project period: Sept. 30, 2023-Sept. 29, 2027
This initiative aims to advance policy and practice changes that will increase awareness of family caregiving issues and improve the engagement of family caregivers in decision-making processes. It focuses on strengthening the leadership skills of family caregivers — particularly those from systematically excluded communities. Key activities include caregiver education and training in advocating for change in their communities and providing coaching and technical assistance to state-based family caregiving coalitions.
The project will produce a training curriculum for family caregivers as well as communications assets to help promote caregiver recognition, support, and inclusion. The grantee will also develop a comprehensive evaluation report. Using an extensive assessment of 12-15 states, capacity-building training, formal presentations, and a project steering committee, the project will strengthen connections with selected coalitions, improve community engagement, and facilitate knowledge-sharing among key stakeholders. Through these comprehensive efforts, the project intends to amplify the voices of family caregivers, increase coalition capacity, drive pivotal policy changes, share best practices, and raise national awareness of family caregivers’ vital role in society.