Family Caregiver Alliance

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is a national nonprofit caregiver support organization headquartered in San Francisco, California. FCA's purpose is to "improve the quality of life for caregivers and the people who receive their care."[1]

Family Caregiver Alliance
AbbreviationFCA
Registration no.94-2687079
Legal status501(c)(3)
PurposeTo improve the quality of life for caregivers and the people who receive their care
HeadquartersSan Francisco, CA
Executive Director
Kathleen A. Kelly
Websitecaregiver.org

History

The Family Survival Project was founded in the 1970s by family members of relatives with brain disorders. In 1978, the project received a state grant to research how many adult-onset brain damaged people were impacted and the services available. The Family Survival Project became the Bay Area's Caregiver Resource Center, and was the predecessor of FCA. In 1980, the California legislature funded a pilot project to provide support for caregivers. FCA was awarded the pilot project, which it ran for three years.[2] The organization supported chronic brain disorders through education, support and assistance with planning.[3]

In 1984, the legislature passed a law establishing a statewide system of resource centers for caregivers, replicating a pilot project developed by FCA.[4] California created a system of Caregiver Resource Centers through the Comprehensive Act for Families and Caregivers of Brain-Impaired Adults, which operates under the state health department.[5] The state named FCA as a consultant through a contract with the state mental health department to oversee a system of Caregiver Resource Centers.[2]

In 2001, the National Center on Caregiving was established at FCA to advance the development of high-quality, cost-effective programs and policies nationwide that support and sustain the important work of families and friends caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions.[6]

"California was the first state in the nation to establish a statewide network of support organizations for caregivers; every resident has access to a CRC in their area". The California Department of Healthcare Services promotes the list of Caregiver Resource Centers on FCA's website.[7]

Activities

Today, FCA acts as a single point-of-entry for access to services and information for California's family caregivers, and as a clearinghouse for caregiver information throughout the US. FCA provides an online library of educational publications, webinars and videos for families needing practical help when care-giving.[8] The organization is recognized for providing guidance and resources for caregivers.[9][10][11] FCA also provides family consultants to advise caregivers and their families.[12]

The organization has a research arm, the National Center on Caregiving, which is also headed by Executive Director Kathleen Kelly. In 2016, Kelly was recognized with an "Influencer in Aging" award from Next Avenue, a nonprofit media website produced for PBS.[13]

FCA is cited in professional journals for its statements about caregivers.[14] A consumer health journal recommended the information provided by FCA as excellent "for caregivers new to the role, or seasoned caregivers seeking additional information", stating that FCA's website "can stand alone as a primary source for family care-giving information."[15]

Finances

For fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, FCA reported total revenue of $3,700,124, including $1,811,392 in government grants. The organization gave a total of $60,000 in grants to other organization for assistance with a program on Alzheimer's.[1]

References
  1. "FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE (FCA) - GuideStar Profile". guidestar.org. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  2. Coleman, Barbara (June 2000). "Helping the Helpers: State-Supported Services For Family Caregivers" (PDF). AARP.
  3. Griffin, K (1985). "Family Survival Project". Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging. 10: 57–58 – via American Psychological Association.
  4. Easing the Family Caregiver Burden, Programs Around the Nation: Forum Before the Special Committee on Aging. 4. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. September 10, 1998. p. 30. ISBN 0-16-058133-8.
  5. "California Caregiver Resource Center System Annual Report" (PDF). California Department of Health Care Services. November 2007.
  6. "Millennials and Dementia Caregiving". University of Southern California Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging. November 28, 2017. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  7. "Caregiver Resource Centers". California Department of Health Care Services. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  8. "What is the best strategy for taking care of your aging parents at home?". PBS NewsHour. September 4, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  9. Lindenfeld Hall, Sarah (June 30, 2020). "How Health Care Professionals Can Support Family Caregivers". Next Avenue. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  10. "Drs. Oz & Roizen: If you're a caregiver, remember, your health matters, too". New Hampshire Union Leader. March 23, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  11. "Panel Discussion: Supporting Family Caregivers of Older Adults through Times of Stress and Isolation". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  12. Kane, Mary (August 25, 2017). "Create a Contract for Family Care". Kiplinger. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  13. "The 50 People Who Are Changing Aging in 2016". Next Avenue. Twin Cities PBS. 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  14. Feinberg, Lynn (2008). "Caregiver Assessment". Journal of Social Work Education. 44: 39–41 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
  15. Phillips, Kat (2019). "Resources for the Caregiver: A Review of the Family Caregiver Alliance and the AARP Caregiving Resource Center". Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet. 23: 102–109 – via Taylor & Francis.
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