Petition Overview: In the United States, over 5.4 million children and adolescents under the age of 18 provide critical care for family members with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other health conditions. Despite their significant contributions, these young caregivers remain largely unrecognized and unsupported by current policies. We need to change this now!

Why This is Important: Youth caregivers often face immense challenges, balancing their caregiving responsibilities with academic, social, and emotional demands. The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Florida revealed that 24% of middle school students and 16% of high school students regularly provide care to their families. These young caregivers are at risk of falling behind in school, experiencing social isolation, and facing emotional stress.

The Problem: Exclusion from Support Programs Despite their critical role, caregiving youth are systematically excluded from many federal and state support programs designed for caregivers. For instance:

National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP): This program provides grants to states to fund services that assist family caregivers. However, it explicitly excludes caregivers under the age of 18 from receiving these supports. This leaves young caregivers without access to essential services like respite care, counseling, and training.

Medicaid Waivers and State Programs: Many Medicaid waiver programs and state-specific caregiving support initiatives focus on adult caregivers, leaving out younger caregivers who need assistance just as much, if not more, due to their dual roles as students and caregivers.

School-Based Resources: In most schools, there are no dedicated resources or programs to support students who are caregivers. This lack of support can lead to academic difficulties, emotional distress, and social isolation for caregiving youth.

Our Goals:

• Recognition: Advocate for the formal recognition of caregiving youth in national policies and programs, ensuring they are acknowledged for their contributions.
• Support: Implement targeted social programs to support the well-being of caregiving youth, drawing on successful models from the UK, Australia, and The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida.
• Legislation: Promote the development and enactment of laws that protect and support caregiving youth, similar to the Children and Family Act in the UK.
• Education: Encourage the inclusion of caregiving youth in educational curricula, research, and professional training for educators, healthcare providers, and social workers.
• Access to Resources: Ensure caregiving youth have access to mental health services, academic support, and respite care to help them thrive.

How You Can Help: Sign this petition to urge policymakers, educators, and healthcare providers to recognize and support the unique needs of youth caregivers. By signing, you are standing with millions of young caregivers who deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

Sign the Petition: Join us in calling for immediate action to reform policies and support our youth caregivers. Your signature can make a difference in the lives of millions of children and adolescents who provide essential care to their families every day.

Together, we can ensure that caregiving youth receive the recognition and support they deserve.