About
NFCSP
The enactment of the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000
(Public Law 106-501) established an important new program, the
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). The program
was developed by the Administration on Aging (AoA) of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It was modeled
in large part after successful programs in States such as California,
New Jersey, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania and after listening to
the needs expressed by hundreds of family caregivers in discussions
held across the country.
The NFCSP received a congressional appropriation of $125 million
in fiscal year 2001; $141.5 million in fiscal year 2002; and
$155.2 million in fiscal year 2003. Most funds are allocated
to states through a congressionally mandated formula that is
based on a proportionate share of the 70+ population. The program
calls for all states, working in partnership with local area
agencies on aging and faith- and community-service providers
and tribes to offer five direct services that best meet the range
of caregivers’ needs, including:
- Information to caregivers about available services;
- Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to supportive services;
- Individual
counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training to assist caregivers in making decisions and solving
problems relating to their roles;
- Respite care to enable
caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving
responsibilities; and
- Supplemental services, on a limited basis,
to complement the care provided by caregivers.
Eligible Populations:
- Family caregivers of older adults (age 60 years
and older); and
- Grandparents and relative caregivers of children
not more than 18 years of age (including grandparents who
are sole
caregivers of grandchildren and those individuals who are affected
by mental retardation or who have developmental disabilities).
States are required to give priority consideration to: 1) persons
in greatest social and economic need (with particular attention
to low-income, minority individuals); and 2) older individuals
providing care and support to persons with mental retardation
and related developmental disabilities.
Other Important Features:
The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000 also established
the Native American Caregiver Support Program (NACSP). The NACSP
received a congressional appropriation of with $5 million in
fiscal year 2001; $5.5 million in fiscal year 2002; and 6.2 million
in fiscal year 2003.
The National Aging Network: Under the authority of the Older Americans Act, AoA works closely
with the national network of aging organizations to plan, coordinate,
and provide home and community-based services to meet the unique
needs of older persons and their caregivers. AoA’s aging
network includes: 56 State Units on Aging, 655 Area Agencies
on Aging (AAA), 225 Tribal and native organizations representing
300 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal organizations and
2 organizations serving Native Hawaiians, plus thousands of service
providers, adult care centers, caregivers, and volunteers.
WHO TO CONTACT FOR HELP:
Area Agency on Aging:
The local AAA is one of the first resources a caregiver should
contact when help is needed. Almost every state has one or more
AAA, which serves local communities, older residents, and their
families. (In a few states, the State Unit or Office on Aging
serves as the AAA.) Local AAA’s are generally listed in
the city or county government sections of the telephone directory
under “Aging” or “Social Services.”
State Unit on Aging:
For more information on the implementation of the NFCSP in a
particular state, contact the State Unit on Aging available at:
http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.aspx.
Administration on Aging:
Administration on Aging
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 202-619-0724 Requests for information about aging issues and AoA programs:Email
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