2. What is AACY? American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)
Florida based non-profit corporation
Established in 1998
Evolved to become AACY in 2010
The only organization in the US dedicated solely to addressing caregiving youth issues
Developing Affiliate Network
Established the Caregiving Youth Institute in 2014
Caregiving Youth Project (CYP) of AACY
Established in 2006
Addresses the needs of pre-teens, teens and families
Brings together healthcare, education, & the community
Works in partnership with schools and collaborating partners
Provides services in school, out of school and at home

3. TRENDS – CHANGING POPULATION
Economic Influences
Women Working
Single Parent & Multi-generation Households
Grandparents as Parents
Healthcare & Long-term Care Systems
Increased home care
Complex care at home
Cultural variances
Veterans

4. Caring for Sister

5. Kids in CNN Stories

6. Caring for Brother

7. WHY BE CONCERNED? Academic Challenges Physical Strain & Somatization
Emotional & Traumatic Distress
Socialization Impacts
Childhood Lost
Long-term Impact

9. REWARDS OF CAREGIVING Special relationship with the care recipient
Enhanced self-esteem when recognized for contribution
Mature life skills
Sense of purpose
Increased empathy

10. CAREGIVING YOUTH PROJECT (CYP) SERVICES
In School - skills-building classes, support groups, lunch and learn sessions
At Home - linking families with resources, providing computers, tutoring and solutions for special needs
Out of School - overnight camp, fishing, educational and fun activities

11. Questions at Camp Treasure XX – 11/5/2016
If you help someone with medicine and you give them more than what you need will it harm them?
How to remember that a person has problems but looks like a normal person.
How can I get someone out of bed if they don’t have anything to help them with
When you lost your loved ones, will it effect your life?
What happens when they need help but you can’t help them? (What can you do?)

12. CYP RESULTS

13. CAREGIVING YOUTH INSTITUTE
Established in April 2014 to provide the venue & opportunity to create the formal structure for what AACY has been informally providing for several years
Formed the Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative
Second conference to be held April 27, 2017 in Boca Raton
The CYI’s goal is to raise the level of awareness & multi-system needs of caregiving youth along with solutions or their support through the multiple aspects of
C.A.R.E C
onnection A
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PC Version R
esearch E
ducation 13

14. Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative
Members include professionals from:

15. YOU CAN HELP! Raise awareness about the issues caregiving youth face
Identify student-caregivers – at school, in congregations and other settings
Work for system change & collaborations between healthcare, education & community
Promote legislation; end reverse age discrimination

16. Morally & Economically
Supporting Caregiving Youth for Today & Tomorrow is the Right Thing to Do…
Morally & Economically
On behalf of these Hidden Heroes, for the benefit of our Children & Grandchildren, our greater Community & our Country