A group of federal lawmakers if pushing to establish a first-ever national hotline for caregivers of those with developmental disabilities.
The toll-free number would operate around the clock and be staffed by trained professionals equipped to provide emotional support, brief intervention and mental health referrals, according to U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., who introduced a bill to establish the hotline.
The legislation known as the Caregiver Access to Resources and Emotional Support, or CARES, Hotline Act also calls for the government to create and maintain a national database of caregiver resources and offer peer-to-peer counseling allowing caregivers to connect with others with similar experiences.
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“Caregivers are the backbone of support for millions of Americans living with developmental disabilities, but they are too often left without the resources, guidance and support they deserve,” Menendez said. “Our CARES Hotline Act creates a critical lifeline to provide caregivers with emotional support, counseling and other key services.”
Menendez said the bill was inspired by his conversations with representatives at Whole Spectrum Autism, an autism advocacy group in New Jersey, who told him about the unique challenges facing caregivers.
“No family should be told to figure autism out alone, yet that is the reality for far too many,” said Jas Singh, the group’s chief strategy and operations officer. “The CARES Hotline is a critical step toward changing that by giving caregivers a real place to turn in moments of stress, uncertainty and isolation. This is about more than support, it is about access, guidance and making sure families are no longer navigating this journey without help.”
In addition to Menendez, the bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., as well as Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.
