National Caregiver Champion Collaborative (CCC)

USAging invites Aging Network providers and partners who are responsible for the administration of caregiver services and supports to register to join the National Caregiver Champion Collaborative (CCC).

With a purpose of facilitating and supporting peer networking and engagement for those leading caregiving services and supports, participants will gather regularly in an affinity group model to share successful strategies and best practices, discuss lessons learned, explore new partnerships and get insight into the latest research and emerging evidence-based programs. This effort is administered by USAging through the Innovations in Family Caregiver Services and Supports cooperative agreement from the Administration of Community Living (ACL).

According to the 2022 AAA National Survey, 76 percent of AAAs have a caregiver program coordinator/manager on staff and 11 percent would like to add one in the next 3 years. Thirty-four percent have a caregiver trainer on staff; 11 percent would like to add one in the next three years. According to the 2020 Title VI Program Survey, 68 percent of Title VI Programs have a staff member responsible for caregiver program coordination. Despite their key roles, there currently is not a national vehicle for these Aging Network caregiver professionals to gather regularly in an affinity group model to share successful strategies and best practices, discuss lessons learned, explore new partnerships and get insight into the latest research and emerging evidence-based programs.

Joining the National Caregiver Champion Collaborative includes three steps:

• Review, complete and submit the registration form.
• After submitting your registration, you will receive an email confirmation.
• Once your registration form is reviewed and processed, you will receive an email confirming your participation in the CCC.

What is the aim of the CCC?
A broad-based affinity group, the CCC will be a forum for learning and resource sharing between USAging, partner organizations and the Caregiver Champion members but most importantly the Collaborative will serve as a learning and peer exchange forum for caregiving managers and staff across the Aging Network and partner organizations to get the latest information, resources, learning and networking opportunities to participate in scaling up existing caregiving efforts. 

Champions will be encouraged to develop on-going state, regional or local caregiver efforts focused on enhancing and innovating caregiver services and supports, to elevate and evolve caregiver services and supports. Ultimately, USAging sees the CCC as a vehicle for the elevation of caregiving across the Aging Network thereby seeding project sustainability.

Who can participate in the CCC?
Participants are likely to be leaders and managers from Aging Network providers and partner organizations, such as State Units on Aging, AAAs/Title VI Programs, aging service providers, caregiving service providers and others. Participants will have interest and experience in caregiver supports and services and may be responsible for programs funded through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP, OAA Title III E), the Native American Caregiver Support Program (NACSP, OAA Title VI C), the Lifespan Respite Program, the Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention Programs Initiative or others. Others who work at the intersection of caregiving services and supports are also welcome to attend (e.g., a transportation or nutrition provider whose work impacts caregivers and with an interest in growing knowledge and networking). 

What are the inclusion criteria?
The CCC will be a monitored and staff supported open format group with the inclusion criteria being that the group is comprised of staff responsible for the administration of caregiving services and support. 

What is the meeting frequency?
The Caregiver Champion Collaborative will meet bi-monthly on Zoom. The CCC will be an ongoing collaborative and is expected to start around May 2024. 

What are the expectations for a Caregiver Champion?

As a Caregiver Champion:

• I will be part of a group of passionate leaders, innovators and practitioners at the local, state and national level dedicated to strengthening caregiver services and supports.
• I will have opportunities to connect to and gain support from a collaborative of professionals working to strengthen caregiver services and supports.
• I will become a Caregiver Champion and promote the work of the collaborative with my network and peers.
• My contributions will be valued, including suggestions for improving the collaborative.

As a Caregiver Champion, my responsibilities will be:

• To build awareness of issues affecting caregivers and promote best practices and resources throughout my professional networks and communities.
• To support a collaborative network of local, state and national leaders and encourage open communication among fellow champions, treating everyone with respect and dignity.
• To engage in discussions that explore the challenges and barriers to the current collection of outcome data on caregiver services and supports.

As a Caregiver Champion, I will not:

• Promote commercial, political or personal interests within the collaborative.
• Use ACL, USAging or associated partner organizations logos or brand to promote commercial, political or personal interests.