Take this Concrete Step to Save Lifespan Respite!

Urge your U.S. Representative to Sign Congressional Letter Requesting Funding for Lifespan Respite in FY 2026!

Deadline for Members to Sign on is Thursday, May 22 at 12:00 PM ET

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) are circulating a Dear Colleague letter in the U.S. House of Representatives asking Members to sign on to a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations requesting $20 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program in FY 2026. This bipartisan Congressional Member request is more important than ever in light of the Administration’s request to eliminate Lifespan Respite completely.

The National Respite Coalition is asking you to contact your Representatives TODAY and ask them to sign onto the letter to save the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

To be added to the letter, your Representative MUST CONTACT REP. DINGELL’S OFFICE BY NOON ON Thursday, MAY 22!!!

Only the following Members have signed on so far:

• Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
• Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
• Nanette Barragan (D-CA)
• Danny Davis (D-IL)
• Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
• Shomari Figures (D-AL)
• Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
• Chellie Pingree (D-ME)

We know there is a lot to fight for right now and we appreciate your support and advocacy on so many fronts. Small but highly effective programs like Lifespan Respite can get lost among the overwhelming list of priorities, and the silence can be deafening. Don’t let silence convey a message that we don’t care about this program. Take this concrete action today.

A Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Developmental Disabilities, Autism and Family Supports Task Force letter from 21 national organizations, including the National Respite Coalition, supports the request for $20 million for the program. 

ACTION STEPS:

• Message for your Representative. PLEASE SIGN ONTO the bipartisan appropriations letter from Rep. Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) that is now circulating in the House. The letter is a Member Request to the House Appropriations Committee for $20 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program.
• Make it Personal. Share your personal caregiving or respite story about why respite is important to you or why family caregivers in your state need respite care.
• Post your message on social media and be sure to tag your House member and Senators! Members of U.S. Congress Social Media Contacts (from Triage Cancer).

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Need to know other ways how to contact your Senators and Representatives? Find out at CommonCause.

Please pick up the phone and call today. Post on social media and tag your House and Senate Members.

Download and share this NRC alert and talking points.