ACL Seeks Nominations for Advisory Councils on Family Caregiving and Grandparents Raising Children

Deadline: December 3, 2018 The Administration for Community Living is leading the Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to establish two new advisory councils, one to address the needs of family caregivers and a second to focus on the needs grandparents raising grandchildren and older relatives caring for children. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act directed the establishment of the Family Caregiving Advisory Council to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on effective models of both family caregiving and support to family caregivers, as well as improving coordination across federal government programs.   The Advisory Council will include up to 15 voting members, with at least one from each of the following constituencies: family caregivers; older adults who need long-term services and supports; individuals with disabilities; health care and social service providers; providers of long-term services and supports; employers; paraprofessional workers; state and local officials; accreditation bodies; veterans; and as appropriate, other experts and advocacy organizations engaged in family caregiving. The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act requires the establishment of an Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. The Advisory Council will identify, promote, coordinate, and disseminate to the public information, resources, and the best practices available to help grandparents and other older relatives both meet the needs of the children in their care and maintain their own physical and mental health and emotional well-being. In addition to the participation of federal agencies, the Advisory Council will include at least one grandparent who is raising a grandchild, and at least one older relative caring for children. ACL also welcomes nominations of other individuals who may be able to provide subject matter expertise or technical contributions to the Advisory Council. More information can be found on ACL.gov.