We remain extremely grateful to those who make the remarkable collective impact of this work possible! A few highlights from this past quarter include:

• The deliveries of 72 frozen turkeys, 12 baskets of food, sides, and pies - Thanksgiving meals for more than 420 individuals!
• An amazing Holiday party held for more than 300 people, thanks to The School District and special sponsors, at the Safe Schools Institute with music, crafts, balloons, games, food, gifts, a clothing boutique, and more
• The provision of support for 548 middle and high school Caregiving Youth in Palm Beach County, with many more to reach and serve, in and out of school and at home
• The completion of a new publication for the National Academy for State Health Policy
• The formal agreement with the State of Rhode Island Department of Education to assist in their development of support for their state's Caregiving Youth.

Everyone from our front-line team to our volunteers and Board, those who assist with activities, and our individual and foundation donors are changing many lives - little by little... maybe you have a little time or talent to help us move forward in 2024? 

We will welcome you!

| Report on Caregiving Youth in the U.S. | Progress and Opportunity | December 2023

Members of the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative (CYRC), representing eight states across the country, have compiled and are releasing a White Paper, culminating months of collaborative writing. The CYRC's leadership is by Dr. Betsy Olson of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and Dr. Connie Siskowski, in collaboration with the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) and its Caregiving Youth Institute.

The paper focuses on three key areas relating to this growing population of children and teens who sacrifice their own educational opportunities, health, well-being, and childhood to provide care for family or household members who are chronically ill, injured, frail, and/or have disabilities. These three areas are research, practice, and policy.

In a joint statement about the White Paper, Olson and Siskowski say, "It is not only the result of months of collaborative writing, but it also lays a foundation to move forward on behalf of this otherwise hidden population who contributes unpaid labor and plays a crucial role in the healthcare of individuals of all ages."

The concluding recommendations of the White Paper are:

• Form a national task force on Caregiving Youth.
• Conduct a national prevalence and impact study.
• Support access to resources and existing successful programs to provide support for this otherwise neglected population.

Report Links |

Report on Caregiving Youth in the U.S. | Executive Summary

Report on Caregiving Youth in the U.S. | White Paper

Report on Caregiving Youth in the U.S. | Recommendations

| Of Resilience and Hope – My Story as a Young Caregiver – By Maria Miranda, LMSW

We published this article on the aacy.org website to highlight a new voice for Caregiving Youth in the United States and to give as many people as possible access to this important viewpoint. Thank you, Maria Miranda, LMSW. We need more of this. 'Of Resilience and Hope – My Story as a Young Caregiver'

| Reps. Frankel, Salazar, and Barbara Lee Recognize Work of Caregiving Youth as Natl. Family Caregivers Month Concludes

The Experts Speak – The Florida Psychiatric Society | Hosted by Abbey Strauss, M.S.W., M.D.

“Connie Siskowski, R.N., Ph.D., and a CNN Hero award recipient, works to help the millions of children who go home to be essential caregivers, and who therefore have special caring needs, miss a lot of normal adolescence, and so absolutely require help and acknowledgment. She started the American Association of Caregiving Youth to face this task. The efforts include integration with local schools, of social workers that go into the homes, getting laws to address the funding needs, that some states can remove and place the caregiving children into foster care, etc. But in particular is the focus to help these children not to feel alone, frustrated, etc. This is too quiet a reality for many children.”

Listen on iTunes, iHeartRadio or Spotify

| AACY National Advisory Council News

• We welcome new Advisory Council member, Maria Miranda, LMSW
• The Advisory Council membership page has been updated to include bios/photos and is located here.
• We have updated our Caregiving Youth Resources page to include sharable program collateral, an up-to-date list of U.S. Organizations Providing Direct Services for Caregiving Youth, videos, links to relevant scholarly articles, and more. We invite you to use this resource to advocate for the kids and to contact us with any additions.

| Spotlight on: Richard "Dick" Lindsay, M.D., J.D.

AACY Advisory Council Member

AACY is proud to have Dr. Richard Lindsay on our Advisory Council, where he serves a key advocacy role on behalf of a newly discovered passion, Caregiving Youth. He has engaged various high school and medical students to help them understand the plight of this population, which is so important within the healthcare delivery system!

As a physician, lawyer, professor, and renowned national speaker, "Dick" brings vast knowledge in aging and caregiving issues to the Lindsay Institute for Innovations in Caregiving and the VA Aging Network. He is Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine at the UVA Health Sciences Center. He is the founder and former Head of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at UVA. He is actively involved in a host of health and aging-related organizations. Additionally, he has had the honor of representing the State of Virginia at three White House Conferences on Aging.

| Arline McNally, Honorary Chairperson, along with her husband, John, of our 2024 Hearts & “Soles” gala

An afternoon of caring and sharing was presented by Arline McNally, Honorary Chairperson, along with her husband, John, of our 2024 Hearts & “Soles” gala!

This “Meet A Caring Heart” luncheon featured our AACY President and Founder, Dr. Connie Siskowski. She spoke of her personal caregiving journey and her profound commitment to Caregiving Youth here at home and across the country.

The event was held at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, the same venue where we will have our AACY gala on Friday, February 16.

Gala Chairpersons are Sue and Yaacov Heller.

| AACY WINTER WONDERLAND PARTY 2023!

| Carnival 2023

What an AWESOME way to end the year with our Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) students! Thank you to all at Boca West Children's Foundation for making this possible, along with our AACY team and contributors who provided transportation! Pamela Weinroth is the Executive Director of Boca West Children's Foundation - thank you, Pam, and your Board for all you do to help many charities throughout the year—making indelible fun memories for Caregiving Youth and giving them a little break from responsibilities at home.

Upcoming Local Fundraising Events & Activities

| AACY Annual Hearts & Soles Gala

| KENDRA SCOTT Event February 9th

| You Can Make a Difference!

| Here Are a Few Ways You Can Support AACY!

• Support the FL Caregiving Youth Act!
• Commit to a Monthly Donation
• Attend a Fundraising Event (Locally)
• Become a Business/Corporate Sponsor
• Donate to honor a loved one and put their name on the American Association of Caregiving Youth Wall of Recognition - great present!
• Speaking Engagements – connect the AACY team to local or national events where we can educate audiences on Caregiving Youth.
• Volunteer to support our students and programs
• Follow us on social media – like, share, and comment on AACY's LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram posts.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a Florida 501 (c) (3) corporation.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (#CH12431) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR AT WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.