Help CA Meet the Growing Needs of 4.7 million Family Caregivers by Doubling CRC Support Services

April 12, 2022

The Association of California Caregiver Resource Centers is requesting an increase of $20 million annually to the California Caregiver Resource Center budget to meet the needs of California’s 4.7 million unpaid family caregivers. Compared to state and national caregiver data, caregivers served by the California Caregiver Resource Centers provided more complex and intense care with 90.4% providing a high level of care.

Adding $20 million per year will allow the 11 California CRCs to expand capacity to support family caregivers by doubling all services and offering culturally responsive and language appropriate services to meet the needs of all Californian caregiving families. Read the full budget proposal.

This budget proposal, Building Partnerships and Expanding Capacity to Meet the Goals of the California Master Plan for Aging, is endorsed by AARP, the 30+ agencies in the California Collaborative for Long Term Services and Supports, and many of the CRCs’ local partners.

There are several ways you can express your support for additional caregiving services and a CRC budget increase.

1. Sign our petition. https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/help-ca-meet-the-growing-needs-of-family-caregivers-by-doubling-crc-support-services.html
   It is quick and easy, and you have the option to add your own personalized note.
2. Send a letter of support.

• Download a sample letter from an organization
• Download a sample letter from a caregiver
• Download a sample letter from an individual who is not a caregiver
• Download instructions for how to submit letters of support

3. Call your CA State representative and tell them:
“Hello. My name is _________ and I live in district #. I am calling to express my support for the CA Caregiver Resource Center request for an additional $20M a year to expand capacity to support family caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments by doubling services and offering culturally responsive and language appropriate services to meet the needs of all Californian caregiving families.” Then, add your personal why (example: I know the value of these services as a caregiver of….)

To find your representative: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/