Virginia’s Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services
made a big announcement last week, reporting that caregivers for a loved one
with disabilities or chronic illness in Virginia could apply for vouchers up to
$400 to help pay for respite care. This is positive, real world impact stemming
from the excellent work of MS activists.
The state’s grant is funded by the Lifespan Respite Care
Program, a federal program which provides grants to state agencies to ensure
that quality respite is available for family caregivers across the lifespan. Every
year, MS activists advocate for Congress to fund the Lifespan Respite Care
Program. Since it has been funded the
past few years, Virginia was able to apply for and receive this grant funding
that is now supporting family caregivers in the state.
Virginia’s family
caregivers are not alone. According to a 2011 AARP report, 61.6 million family
caregivers provided care at some point during 2009. This includes family
members of people with MS, as well as many other conditions and diseases.
Family caregivers enable loved ones to stay at home, keep families healthy and
save the system money. The value of family caregivers’ uncompensated services is
estimated to be $450 billion a year.
Activists in Virginia attended Virginia Caregiver Coalition meetings and met with various
public officials such as the Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitative
Services to highlight the need for this grant and urged them to apply for
federal funding. Congrats to these activists and the state—their advocacy
efforts made a difference!
The grant will distribute vouchers until the end of July in
Virginia and the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services estimate that
as many as 450 families could be served through this grant.
If you are resident of Virginia and are interested in
applying for a voucher, please click here.
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