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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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  Last Updated Last Modified: 7/2/2008 11:01:42 AM  
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