Supporting Caregivers Act
Topic:
Proposals are grouped into broad types, with specific topics within each category
Proposal Overview
Name: Supporting Caregivers Act
Congress: 116th
Year: 2019
Sponsor and Co-Sponsors
Sponsor:
Senator Bob Casey (D-PA)
Co-Sponsors:
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
Companion Bill
None
Related Bills from Prior Congresses
None
Program Details
Overview: This bill promotes quality and best practices to support family caregivers and older related caregivers through the Older Americans Act’s (OAA) National Caregiver Support Program. It requires dissemination of best practices by the Assistant Secretary for Aging. Grant awards to support quality improvements, research, training and evaluation can be made to states, public or private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education. The bill allows states to exceed the cap on the amount of funds they may use to support to family caregivers.
Best Practices
Every 2 years, the Assistant Secretary will identify and disseminate best practices for caregiver support to state agencies, area agencies on aging (AAA), and entities contracted with AAAs. Best practices include procedures and tools used to assess caregiver needs, procedures and tools to monitor and evaluate state programs, the development and use of caregiver service plans, the use of evidence-based caregiver support services, and best practices identified by the Family Caregiving Strategy and the Family Caregiving Advisory Council within the RAISE Family Caregivers Act.
Availability of Funds
A state can only use 15% of the total federal and non-federal share available to them to provide support services to caregivers. However, AAA can request an additional share if they have a demonstrated need.
Annual Report
The Assistant Secretary will report annually on the number of requests granted to AAAs, the percentage of total federal and non-federal funding they used, by geographic area, the number of caregivers that received support services, and other appropriate information.
Financing & Implementation
Program Administration
Administration for Community Living
Revenue Source(s)
Annual appropriations
Program Cost Estimate
$3,000,000 annually for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2024.