National Respite Coalition Policy Actions
The National Respite Coalition, the policy division of the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource Center, advocates for legislation and administrative change at the federal level to increase funding for respite care, ensure easy access to and flexibility in services, promote person and family-centered services, encourage best practices and enhance program quality, and improve and expand the respite provider workforce.
This page features: NRC's letters to Congress and the Administration in support of funding, legislation or administrative proposals; letters of support or endorsement from national and state organizations for legislation supported by the NRC; Congressional testimony, and more.
The NRC also sends out timely legislative alerts and policy updates.
Introduction of Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025
Senate Action
The NRC secured a letter from 37 National Organizations to Senators Collins (R-ME) and Baldwin (D-WI) in Support of the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 830).
House Action
The companion bill (H.R. 2560) was introduced in the House on April 1, 2025, by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI). A letter was sent from 39 National Organizations to the House lead sponsors endorsing the bill.
FY 2025 Congressional Letter from 10 Members of the House to Appropriations Committee in support of Lifespan Respite Care Program Funding.
Download Letter
FY 2024 Lifespan Respite Appropriations
NRC Written Testimony for the Record of the Senate Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee in support of an increase in FY 2024 funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Program.
National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers was created to support family caregivers caring for those of all ages, from youth to grandparents, and regardless of where they live or what caregiving looks like for them and their loved ones. The strategy was developed jointly by the advisory councils created by the RAISE Family Caregiving Act and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act, with extensive input from the public, including family caregivers and the people they support.
The Administration for Community Living requested public comments to be used to help the Advisory Councils identify priorities for future updates of the Strategy. In response to this request, ARCH and the NRC prepared the following comments:
ARCH/NRC Comments on Federal Actions in the National Strategy, November 2022
ARCH/NRC Comments on State and Community Actions in the National Strategy, November 2022
The ARCH Committee for Advancement of Respite Research also prepared comments on the Research Actions included in the National Strategy. Read more.
ARCH and NRC Statements to the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Advisory Council
May 21, 2020 - ARCH Presentation to ACL's RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council
ARCH proposed the following respite solutions for including in the National Strategy on Family Caregiving:
Public Sector Strategies:
Public/Private Partnerships:
Watch the Video of the May 21, 2020, Advisory Council meeting, and see the Meeting Agenda.
February 7, 2020 - NRC comments in response to RFIs from the Administration for Community Living
Past Presidential Transition Brief
December 2020 - National Respite Coalition's Policy Recommendations to the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team.
Policy & Advocacy
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