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.

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.

Natl Org Letter for Lifespan Respite.pdf [download]

4/20/2015

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

ACT Caucus Sign-on Letter to Co-Chairs April 2015 Final (3).pdf [download]

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.

FY14 Lifespan Respite House NatOrgs Letter.pdf [download]

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

Final Letters in Support of FY14 funding for Lifespan Respite and other family caregiver supports [download]

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).

Sign-on for HR 3266 [download]

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.

Lifespan Respite and family caregiver funding letter [download]

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.

Dear Colleague Letter to Obama [download]

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

FY11 Lifespan Funding Dear Colleague 2-23-10.pdf [download]