Caregiver Resource Centers

Section 206 of the NYS Elder Law, Article II, Title I established the Caregiver Assistance Program within the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA). Through this program, NYSOFA is authorized to develop and support training and assistance initiatives for caregivers of frail older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Since the late 1980s, NYSOFA has provided annual funding to 17 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to operate local Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs). These centers offer caregivers a wide range of services, including information and assistance, counseling, support groups, and caregiver training. CRC initiatives also include specialized training curricula designed to meet the needs of caregivers supporting adults with developmental disabilities and caregivers from minority populations.

In 2001, the federal Older Americans Act Title III-E established the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). AAAs that receive NFCSP funding have integrated their CRC services with NFCSP programming. From the caregiver’s perspective, this coordination ensures access to a comprehensive, complementary, and seamless array of supports.

CRCs are located in the following counties: Broome, Cattaraugus, Clinton, Cortland, Fulton, Genesee, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Steuben, Sullivan, Tompkins, and Westchester.

• Provide a single, centralized point of access for family members and other informal caregivers
• Offer information and assistance, training, support groups, counseling, and technical assistance to help caregivers sustain their caregiving roles
• Connect caregivers with AAA programs and other community-based services

Under the NYS Elder Law, services provided through the CRC are available to:

• Family members or other informal caregivers of frail older adults and/or individuals with a disabilities

Caregivers do not need to live in the same household as the individual receiving care to be eligible for services.

Section 206 of the NYS Elder Law, Article II, Title I

NYSOFA conducts monthly conference calls with AAA Caregiver Coordinators and other stakeholders.