Family Caregiver Peer Support Act
Topic:
Proposals are grouped into broad types, with specific topics within each category
Proposal Overview
Name: Family Caregiver Research and Innovation Act
Congress: 119th
Year: 2025
Sponsor and Co-Sponsors
Sponsor:
Senator Edward Markey (D-MA)
Co-Sponsors:
2 Democratic cosponsors
Companion Bill
None
Related Bills from Prior Congresses
Program Details
Overview: This bill amends the Older Americans Act. It authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to develop or expand in-person and virtual peer support programs for family caregivers.
Eligible Entity
Grants can be awarded to a state; nonprofit organization; institution of higher education; aging and disability network entity; junior or community college; and Indian tribe or tribal organization.
Purpose of Grants
The grants help eligible entities develop or expand in-person and/or virtual peer support programs for family caregivers. This includes both paid and unpaid family caregivers. Grant-funded programs should use peer family caregivers to assist others with navigating administrative or financial forms, policies, and processes and provide emotional support.
Funds also support workforce development to recruit and retain peer support specialists and development and/or expansion of behavioral health services for family caregivers including translation and interpretation services.
Covered Individuals and Targeted Subgroups
This program serves all family caregivers (paid or unpaid). Targeted subgroups include underserved regions and populations; low-income communities; underserved racial and ethnic groups; communities with a large immigrant population; communities with a high number of people for whom English is not their first language; the LGBTQ+ community; family caregivers under age 35; and family caregivers with a disability.
Financing & Implementation
Program Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Revenue Source(s)
Annual appropriations
Program Cost Estimate
Authorizes appropriation of $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030.