DESCRIPTION OF THE UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS WORKGROUP: This workgroup consists of individuals working together to improve support for underserved populations. The workgroup uses the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers to guide our objectives and work plans.
WORKGROUP GOAL: Increase outreach and engagement with all Underserved Populations.
Definition of Underserved Populations:
A portion of the underserved populations was determined from First Principles: Cross-Cutting Considerations for Family Caregiver Support, Developed by The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family Caregiving Advisory Council and The Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. This document describes the four key principles that must be reflected in all efforts to improve support for family caregivers.
- American Indian/Alaska Native/Native
- Asian American and Pacific Islander
- Black and African American
- Child caregivers who provide care to parents, grandparents, and
- Hispanic/Latino
- Kin and grandparents (relatives)
- LGBTQIA+
- Rural caregivers
- Adult sibling caregivers
- Veterans
WFACSA integrated Rural Caregivers into this policy using the 72-county map on the Wisconsin Department of Health Service Website. The urban and rural breakdown used here is based on the map as seen in the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health's Rural Wisconsin Health report.
2024 Workplan Activity: Create partnerships with key agencies that serve underserved populations to build trusted relationships and improve access to advocacy opportunities to meet the needs of f underserved populations better. Specific activities include:
- Review the National Family Caregiver Support Strategy for Grandparents/Relatives as Caregivers,
- National Family Caregiver Month Statewide Marketing Toolkit.
If you are interested in learning more about the workgroup, please get in touch with the Workgroup Chair, Rachel Watkins-Petersen, at rwatkins-petersen@respitecarewi.org
Current Workgroup Members:
Bryn Cemen, GWaar
Christine Schulz, TMG
Kayla Steinke, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services - Aging Services
Kristin Voss, Center for Caregiving Serenity
Kristine Meyer, ADRC LaCrosse County
Leslie Thede, Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW)
Mai Her-Lee, Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
Rachel Watkins-Petersen, Respite Care Association of Wisconsin (RCAW)