BOCA RATON, Fla. – February 11, 2026 – PRESS ALERT | For Immediate Release

The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act, signed earlier this month, extends the federal Lifespan Respite Care Program through Fiscal Year 2030 and, for the first time, clarifies that caregivers under the age of 18 are eligible to receive respite services.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) recognizes this bipartisan legislation as an important step forward for families nationwide and for the millions of Caregiving Youth who balance school with significant caregiving responsibilities at home.

Authored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and supported in the House by Reps. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) and Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.), the legislation also includes a 10 percent increase in funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program, bringing total funding to $11 million.

Respite care provides temporary relief to family caregivers and is associated with improved mental health, reduced stress, and stronger family stability. The clarification that Caregiving Youth are eligible for services establishes an important federal precedent acknowledging that caregiving responsibilities often begin long before adulthood.

The ARCH National Respite Coalition, led by Director Jill Kagan, played a central advocacy role in advancing the reauthorization and elevating the needs of caregivers across the lifespan, including caregivers under the age of 18.

“Thank you, Jill and the ARCH National Respite Coalition, for your advocacy,” said Brian Duke, Co-Chair of the American Association of Caregiving Youth National Advisory Council. “It is encouraging to see the recognition and inclusion of caregivers below the age of 18. We are grateful to Sen. Collins, Sen. Baldwin, Rep. Tokuda, and Rep. Langworthy for their leadership on this legislation.”

More than 6 million children and teens in the United States help care for parents, grandparents, or siblings with illness, disability, or age-related needs. Yet Caregiving Youth often remain unseen in policy, research, and healthcare systems. The inclusion of caregivers under 18 in federal respite law signals growing national recognition that these young people and their families need structured support.

AACY views this action as an important step toward strengthening respite systems nationwide and increasing access to relief for families balancing caregiving and childhood.

Additional Information

Sen. Susan Collins’ Official Press Release
SIGNED INTO LAW: Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act Authored by Senator Collins

ARCH National Respite Network & Resource Center Press Release
Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act of 2025 Signed Into Law