Press Alert, August 10, 2024: AACY Attends Elizabeth Dole Foundation – 2nd Annual Hidden Helpers Summit (Washington, DC)
The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) proudly attended the 2nd Annual Hidden Helpers Summit, hosted by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in Washington, DC. As a member of the Hidden Helpers Coalition, AACY remains committed to supporting all Caregiving Youth who manage the complexities of military life, caring for family members impacted by service and deployments.
We thank the Dole Foundation and Steven Schwab for including us in this important event.
We stand alongside partners like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Hidden Helpers to advocate for improved identification, support, and legislation for these incredible young individuals. Our team is committed to advocating for Caregiving Youth across the United States, regardless of the diagnosis or family situation of those they care for.
We were particularly encouraged to see the education panel moderated by Melinda Kavanaugh, PhD, LCSW, a member of the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative (CYRC), Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Founder of Global Neuro YCare.
There was also a panel featuring leading researcher and CYRC member Emma Armstrong-Carter, Assistant Professor at Tufts University, and Steve Osborn from the Rhode Island Department of Education, with whom we are collaborating on statewide solutions for Caregiving Youth in RI schools. We also thank former young caregiver A.J. Poole, who shares his story through the Kids Are Caregivers Too website and volunteers as an advocate for AACY.
Hearing the stories of Hidden Helpers and seeing so many people in the room supporting them was truly inspiring. The resilience of these young people, who see themselves as sons, daughters, and friends—not just caregivers—motivates us to continue advocating for a brighter future for all Caregiving Youth.
About the AACY Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative (CYRC):
The CYRC is a U.S.-focused initiative created to generate interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and practitioners who are dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of Caregiving Youth (also known as young carers) and their families. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between the AACY Caregiving Youth Institute and researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, today, CYRC brings together academics and other researchers and professionals from universities and organizations across the United States and Canada. Members work to identify research and policy priorities, create vehicles to inform and enhance knowledge among youth professionals, and cultivate partnerships to improve the outlook for Caregiving Youth and their families.
For more information, visit CYRC here.
About the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY):
American Association of Caregiving Youth® (AACY), a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, champions the needs of over 5.4 million young American caregivers aged 18 or younger who provide essential care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, and/or disabled family members. As the leading national voice for Caregiving Youth, AACY raises awareness about this hidden population and is a trusted resource for families, policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals on the issues Caregiving Youth face, regardless of the care recipient’s diagnosis.
AACY offers a comprehensive approach combining direct support and national advocacy. Locally, they provide direct assistance to middle and high school students through the Caregiving Youth Project. Nationally, its Caregiving Youth Institute (CYI) spearheads C.A.R.E. initiatives focused on Connection, Advocacy, Research, and Education. AACY’s impact extends further through national partnerships and affiliates.
For more information, visit aacy.org