Youth Caregiver Resources

Young caregivers are children, teens, and young adults who provide care to family members; they often take on responsibilities beyond their years. Whether they are assisting with household tasks, managing medications, or providing emotional support, these youth need access to tools, community, and information. Below is a list of trusted organizations and programs designed to support youth caregivers, their families, and professionals working with them.

211 Helpline
211 is a free and confidential service that helps people across the U.S. find the local resources they need. Youth caregivers and their families can contact 211 to locate services such as food, housing, mental health support, transportation, and caregiving help in their area.

American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY)
AACY is a national leader in advocating for and supporting youth caregivers under the age of 18 who provide care for family members. They offer resources for families, educators, and health professionals and operate a school-based support model. [Direct services are available to Florida youth caregivers.]

Camp Corral
Camp Corral provides free summer camp experiences and year-round support for children of wounded, ill, or fallen military service members. Their mission is to transform the lives of these youth by fostering positive connections, confidence, and joy.

Caregiver Foundation (Youth Support)
Based in Hawaii, The Caregiver Foundation offers support for family caregivers, including a Youth Caregiver Support Group. Youth in Hawaii who provide care for a loved one are encouraged to connect with local support and guidance.

Child Mind Institute
The Child Mind Institute provides evidence-based resources to support youth mental health, including tools for young people, including those who are caregivers. Their resources focus on coping with stress, anxiety, depression, and navigating complex emotions. Example: Mindfulness. 

Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Helper Coalition
Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Helper Coalition is a national initiative focused on children and youth who care for or are impacted by wounded, ill, or aging service members and veterans. The Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Helper Coalition includes more than 60 partner organizations advocating for military-connected caregiving youth caregivers nationwide.

Global Neuro YCareHope Loves Company
We're on a mission to ensure every child, youth, and young adult caring for someone living with a neurological disorder has access to education, resources, and support reflective of their culture and language.

Hope Loves Company
This organization supports children and young adults whose lives have been affected by ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Hope Loves Company offers free resources, retreats, care packages, and educational materials for youth caregivers nationwide. 

Kesem
Kesem is a national nonprofit that supports children ages 6–18 whose parents’ cancer diagnosis has impacted their lives. They offer free, year-round services and summer camps designed to help kids build community and process their experiences.

Lorenzo’s House
Lorenzo’s House is dedicated to supporting families facing younger-onset Alzheimer’s and other dementias. They offer youth-focused peer support groups and virtual learning labs for “young changemakers” growing up in caregiving households.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) – Mental Health & Wellness Resources
While DPI does not yet offer caregiver-specific resources, their Student Services/Prevention and Wellness team provides valuable mental health tools that may support caregiving youth who face increased stress and emotional strain.

YCare

YCare is a modular training program designed to equip youth and young adults (ages 8–25) with the skills, knowledge, and support they need when providing care for a loved one. It includes hands-on caregiving education, resilience training, and peer connection.

Supporting Caregiving Youth: How You Can Help

There are almost as many ways of supporting Caregiving Youth as there are unique circumstances among their families! Here are just some ways to support:

Become a Mentor
Offer your time, guidance, and encouragement to caregiving youth. A trusted adult mentor can make a huge difference. Consider mentoring opportunities through: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Be Aware of Family Health Circumstances
Recognize that family caregiving needs may intensify during natural disasters, illness outbreaks, or community emergencies. Support youth by ensuring families have backup power, medication access, and care plans. Learn about emergency preparedness for families: Ready.gov.

Recognize the Impact
Caregiving can take an emotional and developmental toll. Understand that overwhelmed adults may not fully grasp the effect of their health on the youth in their care. Your compassion can bridge that gap.

Amplify Their Voice
Speak up on behalf of caregiving youth. Share their stories with legislators, educators, business leaders, and community groups to build awareness and advocate for support. Learn more: National Alliance for Caregiving – Advocacy Tools

Encourage School Support
Support teachers and school staff in recognizing signs of caregiving stress. Encourage flexible deadlines, access to counseling, and school-based caregiving education. Educator resource: National Academy for State Health Policy - Youth Resource Guide

Connect Them with Peers
Caregiving youth benefit from peer understanding and social support. If you're an educator, health professional, or community leader, connect them to youth-specific support groups or create social events.
Support network examples are listed above, such as Kesem – Children Impacted by a Parent’s Cancer and Lorenzo's House

Offer Non-Judgmental Support
Families coping with illness or disability may already feel judged. By offering compassion and withholding assumptions, you create a safe, affirming space for youth and their loved ones.

Share Trusted Resources
Direct youth caregivers to reliable information and services tailored to their needs. A great starting point: American Association of Caregiving Youth, or for military caregiver youth: Hidden Helpers Coalition - The Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Create Local Support
Start or grow local youth caregiver programs. This might include school-based groups, grief support, or spin-offs from adult caregiver groups.

Celebrate Their Successes
Help caregiving youth recognize their contributions and accomplishments. Celebrate graduations, awards, and personal growth, even the small wins.

Provide Opportunities to Unwind
Give caregiving youth time and space to be kids. Offer or support scholarships to camps, creative outlets, or wellness activities.
Example: Camp Corral – Free Camp for Children of Wounded Warriors

Equip for Academic Success
Ensure youth caregivers have what they need to succeed—laptops, school supplies, stable internet, and a quiet place to study.
Resources for education support: EveryoneOn – Low-Cost Internet & Devices

Listen with Empathy
One of the most powerful things you can do is simply to listen. Practice active listening, validate their feelings, and let them know they’re not alone.

Address Practical Needs
If possible, support the family with hands-on help, home repairs, meals, rides, or adaptive equipment. These gestures reduce the youth’s caregiving burden.