Boca Raton, FL, September 10, 2025 – The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is proud to announce that Madeline Grace Asbell, a longtime advocate for Caregiving Youth and AACY in Texas and across the United States, has been appointed to the Leander Independent School District (Leander ISD) Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC).

Madeline, who uses her platform, Giving Grace, to raise awareness about Caregiving Youth, will join fellow students from across the district in advising the Superintendent on issues such as student mental health, academic readiness, and life skills. Leander ISD, located in the Austin metro area, serves more than 42,000 students, making the council a significant platform for student leadership and advocacy.

“Madeline’s appointment is a powerful example of how Caregiving Youth are stepping forward as leaders in their schools and communities,” said Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD, President and Founder of AACY. “Her voice adds to the visibility of students who are caregiving in Texas and of the millions of students across the country who balance school responsibilities with caring for family members at home.”

In addition to her role with the SSAC, Madeline is also competing in the Miss America Opportunity in Texas as a teen, using the pageant stage as another platform to highlight the challenges and resilience of Caregiving Youth.

Madeline’s platform selection reflects both her personal commitment to service and her ability to highlight the often-overlooked experiences of Caregiving Youth. In addition to her advocacy in Austin, she was recognized by the White House in 2024 as one of the Top 20 Girls Leading Change in America.

About AACY

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is the first and only nationally focused organization in the United States dedicated solely to addressing the needs of children and teens who provide care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, or disabled family members, regardless of age or diagnosis of the person receiving care.

Since its founding in 1998, what became AACY has been a national leader in raising awareness of Caregiving Youth and providing impactful support through identification, services, and advocacy.

AACY operates three core divisions: the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), which delivers direct services to middle and high school students in the School District of Palm Beach County; the Caregiving Youth Institute (CYI), which is grounded in the pillars of Connection, Advocacy, Research, and Education (C.A.R.E.); and Affiliates/National partnerships. Together, these create a multi-system solution to better support Caregiving Youth nationwide.