Family Support

AUCD advocates for policies that support family caregivers of individuals with developmental and other disabilities across the lifespan, including the Lifespan Respite Care Act, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and Family Support funded under the Developmental Disabilities Act.

Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006

  from http://www.gpo.gov

Text of the Law

In December of 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442).

National Family Caregiver Support Act

In November 2000, the U.S. Congress reauthorized the Older Americans Act with the addition of the National Family Caregiver Support Act in Section 316. The Act provides much needed focus on support programs for family caregivers.

Older Americans Act Amendments 2000.pdf [download]

Families of Children With Disabilities Support Act of 2000

Title II of the DD Act , titled Families of Children With Disabilities Support Act of 2000, addresses issues of family support.

DD Act.pdf [download]

Older Americans Act of 2006

  from http://www.gpo.gov

Text of the Law

The Older Americans Act of 1965 was the first federal level initiative aimed at providing comprehensive services for older adults. It created the National Aging Network comprised of the Administration on Aging on the federal level, State Units on Aging, and Area Agencies on Aging at the local level. The network provides funding for nutrition and supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention/health promotion services, elder rights programs, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and the Native American Caregiver Support Program.