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.
Legislation
Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006

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.

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.

Older Americans Act of 2006

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.
Resources
3/4/2014
New Tool from Community Catalyst to Assess and Improve Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports
A new tool from Community Catalyst can help advocates promote more consumer-focused Medicaid managed long-term services and supports by making it easier to identify weaknesses and promote better practices.
1/23/2014
AUCD Issue Brief on Final FY14 Appropriations
President Obama signed the omnibus appropriations bill to fund the remainder of fiscal year 2014. AUCD has prepared this issue brief on the funding for programs important to the AUCD Network and people with disabilities.

8/1/2013
Primer for Civilian Nonprofit Organizations in Providing Support to our Military Families
This resource aims to help civilian nonprofit organizations understand the challenges faced by service members and their families, the support available through the military community, how to link military families to existing resources, and how organizations can best support military families.
Letters
9/8/2016
AUCD signed onto a Letter in Support of the RAISE Act
AUCD signed onto a letter in support of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, which would implement the federal Commission on Long-Term Care's recommendation to create a national strategy to support family caregivers.
8/22/2016
AUCD signed onto a Letter in Support of the BENES Act
AUCD signed onto a letter in support of the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act, which requires that a notice explaining Part B enrollment rules be mailed to all individuals who are transitioning into Medicare or nearing eligibility.
7/6/2016
AUCD signed onto a Letter in Support of the Credit for Caring Act of 2016
AUCD signed onto a letter in support of the Credit for Caring Act of 2016, which amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by adding a nonrefundable tax credit for working family caregivers.
12/15/2015
AUCD signed onto a Letter to Representative Langevin and Representative Harper
AUCD signed on to a letter in support of the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3913), which will reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program for five years.

4/20/2015
AUCD signed onto a letter thanking the founding members of the Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus (ACT).

5/22/2013
AUCD Joins other National Organizations in Urging House Appropriators to Fund Lifespan Respite Program
AUCD joins other national aging and disability organizations in a letter to the chair and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to provide level funding for the Lifespan Respite program.

5/2/2013
Dear Colleague Letter by Rep. Langevin Supports FY 14 Lifespan Respite Funding
Dear Colleague by Rep. Langevin that was signed by an additional 34 House members in support of FY 14 Lifespan Respite funding

5/22/2012
AUCD Signs on to Letters Urging Congress to Support Lifespan Respite Programs
AUCD joined over 35 national organizations representing all ages and disabilities, to urge necessary funding in the FY 2013 Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill for respite and other critical support programs that provide the safety net for family caregivers across the lifespan. The letter requests $5 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program (which given the serious fiscal constraints facing the nation, is reduced significantly from prior years' requests). The organizations also seek support for the National Family Caregiver Support Program ($154 million); and the Native American Caregiver Support Program ($6 million).
3/20/2012
33 Members Sign Letter to House Appropriators for Lifespan Respite in FY 13
Today, 33 Representatives signed onto a letter to Denny Rehberg (R-MT), Chair, and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ranking Member, of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health & Human Services, and Education.
12/29/2011
Sign-on Letter in Support of the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (HR 3266)
AUCD signed onto this letter with a number of national organizations supporting the newly-introduced Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3266).

7/6/2011
Lifespan Respite and family caregiver appropriations letter FY 2012
AUCD signed onto this letter in support of funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program and other critical support programs that provide the safety net for family caregivers across the lifespan.

11/24/2010
"Dear Colleague" Letter to President Obama
This letter requests that the President include $50 million in his FY 2012 Budget Request for Lifespan Respite.

3/4/2010
The Lifespan Respite Care Act FY 2011 Dear Colleague Letter
Requesting that the House fully fund the Lifespan Respite Care Act in FY 2011
