Caring For Military Families The Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Systemic Support: The Foundation has made transforming and improving national systems of care through systemic change a pillar of its organizational priorities. -Campaign for Inclusive Care: The Foundation partnered with the Department of Veteran Affairs to create the Campaign for Inclusive Care program, a national initiative to integrate military and veteran caregivers into their veteran's care team from day one of the care process. Holistic, family-based, caregiver inclusive teams are essential for the health and recovery of our nation's service members and veterans. Health systems must recognize, affirm, understand, and acknowledge the unique value and skills of caregivers. -Since its founding, the Foundation has advocated for policy improvements to support caregivers, their veterans, and their children. Dole Caregiver Fellows engage with their legislators at the federal and local levels to ensure that the needs of caregivers are met through inclusive policy. The National Convening is an annual event to unite government, nonprofits, corporate leaders, and caregivers around achieving policies and priorities that will create a better future for caregivers.

Direct Support: The Foundation's Direct Support programs provide caregivers with a national network that supports and facilitates sharing of best practices and peer-based support. -The Financial Wellness Programming (specifically through The Hope Fund for Critical Financial Assistance) provides financial relief to all areas of military and veteran caregivers through grants that aim to put military families on the path to financial wellness. These grants provide high-impact financial assistance to prevent or address a significant crisis or to improve the quality of life of the caregiver family. This financial relief fills the gaps that other programs may not cover, such as medical bills, natural disaster assistance, emergency transportation for appointments, or loss of income. -The Hidden Heroes Fund was established in 2016 to award grants to non-profit organizations that serve military caregivers. This fund is dedicated to supporting innovative programs that make a direct impact in the lives of America's Hidden Heroes. -Through its Mental Wellness programming, the Foundation provides military caregivers with essential mental health resources, support and coping strategies and aims to enhance caregivers' emotional well-being and resilience by addressing the unique mental health challenges they face. The Foundation also began a caregiver mental wellness pilot program by creating a module within the Academy for Inclusive Care to equip healthcare providers with the skills they need to understand the signs of mental health distress.

Community Engagement and Peer Support

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