Sponsors (3)
Creates a competitive grant program under the Older Americans Act to develop and expand in-person and virtual peer support programs for family caregivers, authorizing $10M/year for FY2026–2030.
Official title: Amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to develop or expand in-person and virtual peer support programs for family caregivers.
Introduced November 20, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress November 20, 2025
The bill provides targeted, multi-year federal funding to expand equity-focused peer support and accessible behavioral health services for family caregivers, but the modest funding level and competitive grant structure may limit reach and slow rollout, leaving some caregivers still underserved.
Family caregivers (parents, families, and low-income caregivers) gain funded access to peer support programs (in-person and virtual) that provide emotional and navigational assistance.
Programs receive multi-year federal support (about $10M/year FY2026–2030), giving states and providers predictable funding to grow and sustain caregiver peer-support services.
Underserved populations (low-income people, racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ caregivers, caregivers with disabilities, younger caregivers) are prioritized, directing resources toward equity gaps.
Many caregivers nationwide (including rural communities) may still be left without services because the program's funding level is limited relative to the total need.
Smaller community groups, tribal organizations, and under-resourced nonprofits may be disadvantaged by a competitive grant model that favors organizations with grant-writing capacity.
Complex implementation requirements (language access, ASL, virtual service build-out) could delay service rollout while grantees develop capacity.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a new federal competitive grant program to build and expand in-person and virtual peer support programs for family caregivers, including workforce training for certified peer support specialists and accessible mental and behavioral health supports. The program sets priorities for underserved regions and groups, requires outreach, and authorizes $10 million per year for FY2026–2030 to implement grants through the Older Americans Act.