In conjunction with National Family Caregivers Month, USAging is organizing a no-cost, two-day Community Care Corps Symposium November 16-17 to highlight the needs of caregivers and the many ways that communities across the country are coming together to address them. The Symposium, titled Supporting Older Adults, Caregivers and People with Disabilities, will focus on promoting and elevating awareness of the Community Care Corps initiative among stakeholder groups, highlight the work of grantees and share lessons learned with others who may wish to replicate similar programs. Speakers will include nationally recognized experts on caregiving, researchers, policy makers and community leaders highlighting model programs.

In September, Community Care Corps announced the 33 grantees that will receive funding totaling $2.85 million over 12 months. This cohort of grantees will develop or enhance innovative local programs that use volunteers to help family caregivers, older adults and adults with disabilities with non-medical tasks to help maintain their independence. These volunteer-based models will provide non-medical supports such as transportation, shopping, running errands, home maintenance and repair, and teaching the use of technology to help people feeling isolated to connect with loved ones and needed medical care.

Community Care Corps has recently released three new videos from Juliet Simone, Oasis National Health and Program Director at the Oasis Institute; John Schall, CEO of the Caregiver Action Network; and Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, all of whom represent partners in the Community Care Corps initiative. In these videos, you will learn about each organization’s commitment to Community Care Corps and the importance of finding innovative ways that volunteers can help older adults, family caregivers and adults with disabilities maintain their independence. After viewing these three videos, be sure to take the time to watch some of the more than 60 videos from our first round of Community Care Corps grantees! New grantee videos will be developed throughout the next year.

Celebrated every November, and spearheaded by Caregiver Action Network (CAN), National Family Caregivers Month offers an opportunity to recognize family caregivers and the important roles and contributions they offer. For this year’s National Family Caregivers Month, CAN is undertaking a national, digital campaign called #CaregiverAnd. Far too often the role of family caregiver overshadows the identity of those caring for their loved ones. #CaregiverAnd encourages family caregivers to celebrate the identities and passions that enrich their lives. #CaregiverAnd will also help others see themselves as caregivers by realizing that, for example, the barista they see every morning may be caring for his dad with Alzheimer’s, or their son’s Little League coach may be caring for his wife with breast cancer. Learn more and download a social media toolkit on the CAN website.

On October 6, USAging, Oasis Institute and Caregiver Action Network convened a virtual Kick-Off Training Day for the 2021-2022 grantees. The event welcomed all new and returning grantees to the Community Care Corps program, introduced the partner organizations and provided an overview of essential information and resources, including information on evaluation efforts, and tips for marketing and social media. The grantees engaged in interactive discussion, setting the stage for ongoing communication and collaboration throughout the upcoming year.

• Volunteer agencies use $2.85M in federal funds to fill in gaps in home care (Home Care Daily News, September 14, 2021)
• WVSOM CRCH awarded $120K Community Care Corps grant (Mountain Messenger, September 17, 2021)
• A pilot program aims to build a Peace Corps-style network of volunteer caregivers for the disabled nationwide (Youth Today, September 29, 2021)

The Community Care Corps: Building Communities of Strength 2020-2021 Grantee Snapshots publication highlights the impactful and innovative work accomplished by the first cohort of Community Care Corps grantees. Each snapshot includes a program overview highlighting key efforts, integral partners and future directions. Check it out to learn more about work of the Community Care Corps grantees and explore how your organization can implement its own innovative programs.

• RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council’s Initial Report to Congress | These recommendations outline the challenges faced by family caregivers, federal programs currently available to support them and recommendations for better supporting family caregivers. The recommendations will form the foundation of the National Family Caregiving Strategy, which will include action steps to increase recognition and support for family caregivers.
• Carer Well-Being Index | This survey of unpaid family caregivers shows that the pandemic made things more difficult for already overburdened and stressed family caregivers.

• Introduction to Hoarding Disorder | SAMHSA’s Homeless and Housing Resource Center, June 5 at 2:00 PM ET | Register
• Elder Justice Coordinating Council Meeting | Elder Justice Coordinating Council, June 12 at 10:00 AM ET | Register
• Nutrition & Aging Resource Center Summer Webinar Series | More Information here
• National Caregiver Support Collaborative: Best Practices Roundtable Series | Roundtable Interest Form here