VA is committed to caring for Veterans, caregivers, families and survivors. Strong partnerships within and outside of VA are critical to ensuring caregivers receive the support they need. That’s why VA is partnering with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) to further promote the health and well-being of those who care for our nation’s Veterans.
VA and Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers launched the new partnership to support caregivers of Veterans, caregivers who are Veterans, and caregivers who work for VA. Both organizations will work collaboratively to increase awareness of the needs of caregivers of Veterans, increase caregiver access to programs, services and resources, and improve caregiver outcomes.
For more information about this partnership and VA’s Caregiver Support Program, please visit www.caregiver.va.gov.
RCI was established in 1987 by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to promote the health, strength and resilience of caregivers throughout the United States. RCI fulfills its promise to champion the family caregiver by building cross-sector partnerships, developing and providing evidence-based programs and advocating for public policy.
RCI military programs
Two of RCI’s flagship programs are designed exclusively for military caregivers. Operation Family Caregiver (OFC) and Operation Caregiver Support (OCS) are free, virtual programs that provide support and resources to our family caregivers.
Operation Family Caregiver
Operation Family Caregiver (OFC) provides eight sessions of tailored one-on-one coaching to caregivers of service members and Veterans from all service eras. OFC sessions are delivered virtually by specially trained coaches, to meet a caregiver wherever they are. Coaches work with the caregiver to build skills related to problem-solving, self-care, stress management and safety.
Operation Caregiver Support
Operation Caregiver Support (OCS) is a virtual support group for post-9/11 military and Veteran caregivers. In addition to general groups, RCI offers specialty groups for Spanish speakers and parents who are caregivers to wounded warriors. OCS is offered bi-monthly, and caregivers can choose which group or groups to attend.
Groups foster connections with one another, create a community of support, and build strategies for managing stress, creating a care team and more.
All sessions for each program are flexible and available in both English and Spanish.
Learn more about RCI’s military and Veteran caregiver support programs, click here or contact rci.programs@rosalynncarter.org to enroll.
Share Your Story With RCI
Are you a family caregiver? RCI wants to hear from you. RCI is currently in the process of building a national network of caregiver advocates to help elevate the voices, experiences and needs of caregivers. If you are interested in participating in the network, or would like to share your story, contact info@rosalynncarter.org to get started.
Get connected
Interested in learning more about RCI? Visit www.rosalynncarter.org and connect with them on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, @rcicaregiving.
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So true, I’m 100% T/P for the last 18 years. Because I have both my hands and legs my wife is not eligible for befits.
I am a 100% P&T disabled Vietnam Veteran who has applied twice for the financial aid which my wife is qualified for by the rules out lined in the qualifying description. Both times we were turned down, I guess because we don’t have any friends in congress or senate to help us, that is the way it works with the VA, I know this to be a fact. So please don’t mislead people about the program, it is not what you do but who you know.
Amen brother same here