Press Alert | BOCA RATON, Fla. – November 3, 2025 – The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY), the leading national organization supporting children and teens who care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, or disabled family members, will convene leading experts for its Caregiving Youth Institute (CYI) Conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Safe Schools Institute in Boca Raton, Florida.

The conference will bring together educators, healthcare professionals, social workers, policymakers, researchers, advocates, and community leaders to explore research, share best practices, and discuss policy solutions that strengthen recognition and support for Caregiving Youth. More than six million Caregiving Youth live in the United States, including an estimated 290,000 in Florida.

The Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) of AACY, the first and only program of its kind in the nation, directly serves nearly 700 students in Palm Beach County middle and high schools. Through the efforts of AACY’s Caregiving Youth Institute (CYI) and leadership, awareness continues to grow about the need to support these young people, who often sacrifice academically and personally to provide care for family members who are unable to live independently due to their health conditions.

With the support of the School District of Palm Beach County, the 10th largest in the nation, this year’s conference will be held at the district’s Safe Schools Institute and will feature participation from Olympic Heights High School’s ROTC Color Guard and Culinary Academy.

Expert presentations across research, practice, and policy include Julie Belkowitz, MD (University of Miami Miller School of Medicine); Betsy Olson, PhD (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill); Nadine Cornish (Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth); Jessica Luckhardt, PhD (Virginia); Mary Claire Muscenic, PhD (School District of Palm Beach County); and Steve Osborn (Rhode Island Department of Education).

In partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, AACY will also give special recognition to Hidden Helpers, Caregiving Youth who support military or veteran family members at home. Many of these students are part of AACY’s Caregiving Youth Project, which provides school-based and in-home services to help them balance caregiving with education and personal growth.

Additional sessions will feature Felicia Goldstein, JD, District Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Lois Frankel, and Brian Duke, former Secretary of Aging for Pennsylvania, who will highlight legislative and policy priorities for Caregiving Youth. Florida Representative Jervonte Edmonds and Ike Powell from Palm Beach County Youth Services are also expected to attend.

Organizer Ann Faraone, EdD, joins Milka Santos, BSW, and Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, Founder and President of AACY, in leading the event. “We are grateful to our presenters and partners across the country for their commitment to champion Caregiving Youth,” said Ellyn Okrent, AACY Board Director and retired CEO of the Fuller Center.

For the full conference agenda, speaker lineup, and program details, and registration information, click here to visit the event page: aacy.org/events or call 561-391-7401.