Just before the July 4th holiday, we were thrilled to be in Delaware with Nemours Children’s Health to roll out a major new program to train providers on how to effectively engage and support children and youth in caregiving families. Senator Tom Carper—a veteran and great champion for veteran families—joined us to co-host the event. This is another high impact achievement of the Hidden Helpers Coalition we are honored to lead with our great partners at Wounded Warrior Project. Leaders from strong coalition partners Military Child Education Coalition, PsychArmor, and Sesame Workshop participated in panels and announced organizational commitments that represent more progress in supporting America’s hidden helpers. We were also thrilled to have Shiela Casey, Special Assistant to the President and Executive Director of Joining Forces, offer remarks affirming the President and First Lady’s strong commitment to our mission.
We will continue our big push for caregiver youth at our second annual Hidden Helpers Summit, August 9 in Washington, D.C. This will be an energetic and uplifting day for caregiver families and leaders in healthcare, early childhood development, education, and policy. We thank our lead sponsors Lockheed Martin and Wounded Warrior Project. Please RSVP to join us!
Our Foundation team hit the road again this week for the VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference in Portland, Oregon. Staff members and caregivers Shawn Moore and Marjorie Pennington led a deeply meaningful panel sharing their very personal experiences on dealing with suicide. And EDF team members Babs Chase and Abi Haigh hosted a reception with our partners at the American Legion promoting our shared commitment to preventing veteran suicide through USAA’s Face the Fight Campaign. We’re deeply grateful to founding partners USAA, Reach Resilience, and the Humana Foundation and are proud to be a member of the Face the Fight coalition. Visit Face the Fight’s website to learn more.
Looking ahead, we are excited to break the news of the next Heroes & History Makers, which will take place December 10 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. Mark your calendars! You won’t want to miss this year’s celebration.
And speaking of big celebrations, July 29 is Senator Elizabeth Dole’s birthday! This is a milestone month for Senator because it also marks the 40th anniversary of the historic “Trifecta” that the Senator led as Secretary of Transportation—ensuring all 50 states set a minimum drinking age of 21-years-old and enacting widespread state safety seat belt laws and mandatory air bags in automobiles. Experts estimate these three initiatives have saved more than half a million lives, with a projected 200,000 more saved each year. See the wonderful op-ed that was published celebrating the anniversary below. And please help us celebrate Senator Dole and thank her for her extraordinary life of service by sending her a birthday message.
Warmly,
Steve Schwab
CEO
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
“Let’s get this done!”
On June 25, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation led a press conference with a coalition of veterans’ organizations to make another united push for the passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act which includes life-changing and, in some cases, life-saving provisions for the veteran community. Senator Dole stepped up to the podium first, delivering a forceful endorsement of the bill before concluding her remarks, saying, “And just so my message is crystal clear to those who work for Congress—bring this bill to the floor now and let’s get it done!” The Foundation continues to ask caregivers, and all Americans, to call their Members of Congress and tell them that we cannot wait any longer.
EDF’s policy team has also diligently worked to safeguard the benefits of veteran and caregiver families. In collaboration with 30 organizations representing veterans, caregivers, families and survivors, the Foundation expressed concerns to Virginia’s Governor regarding recent changes to education benefits in Virginia. These changes have the potential to set a national precedent for reducing benefits available to the veteran community. As a result, the Virginia House and Senate leadership reached an agreement to repeal the unwelcome changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program (VMSDEP). This repeal ensures that attending college remains financially viable for the veteran community. Thanks to our partners, the grassroots efforts of Virginia military families, and Friends of VMSDEP for their hard work to achieve this significant step forward.
EDF in the News
We are so proud of our class of 2024 Dole Caregiver Fellows who have recently shared their stories:
Last week marked the 40th anniversary of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act that Senator Elizabeth, then Secretary Dole, partnered with the late Senator Frank Lautenberg and the late Senator Richard Lugar, to ensure its enactment. Senator Dole recently partnered with Candace Lightner, founder and president of We Save Lives, for an op-ed commemorating the anniversary of the bill’s passage and the work still to be done.
On June 28, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation co-hosted Supporting Our Military Families and Hidden Helpers with Nemours Children’s Health and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. This event honored military families across
the country, particularly recognizing the vital role of hidden helper children who care for their loved ones.
The event feature remarks from Nemours, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Senator Carper, and highlighted panel discussions with representatives from the military, education, healthcare, early childhood space, and military and veteran caregivers. Dole Fellow Silvia Lopez and her daughter Annie shared their caregiving experiences and discussed ways to better support caregiving families.
During the event, Nemours announced a new initiatives to include a field in each patient’s electronic medical record to help identify children from military or veteran families during registration. Additionally, the Children’s Hospital Association officially joined the Hidden Helpers Coalition and issued a call to action for its member hospitals to join.
Staff Spotlight: Lisell Perez-Rogers
Since joining the Foundation in 2021, Lisell has played an integral role in managing and advising the organization’s clinical programs. She first made an impact as Program Manager for the Campaign for Inclusive Care, the Foundation-led initiative to train VA providers to include caregivers on their veterans’ healthcare teams from day one. Lisell’s portfolio later expanded as she took on the challenge of leading the Foundation’s clinical education and mental wellness initiatives, including overseeing the Hidden Helpers Clinical Transformation Subcommittee. The role was a perfect fit for Lisell who earned a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College and served as a Residential Counselor at a children’s hospital. Recently named Senior Director of Programs, Lisell is overseeing a number of Foundation initiatives, including next month’s Hidden Helpers Summit.
Caregiver Spotlight: Sandy Cullins
Hometown: Carlsbad, California
Cares for: Husband
Who is a: Post-9/11 Veteran
Who served in: Marine Corps
Who suffers from:Anxiety, depression, invisible wounds, PTS/PTSD, TBI
Tell us about your life before becoming a caregiver.
I met my husband, Doug, when we were students at San Diego State University. Upon graduation, Doug joined the Marine Corps, and we married and started a family. While my husband was on active duty, I was responsible for managing our home life, moving the family multiple times across state lines, and supporting my husband’s military career.
How do you help care for Doug?
I postponed my professional goal of becoming a psychologist for ten years to care for my husband. In the beginning, the role was intimidating because Doug was still on active duty. We were both nervous to talk openly about his struggles with his physical and mental health, which made the caregiver experience even more isolating. It also made my job as a mom much harder because our two small children were confused about his injuries. Once Doug retired, we opened up to them more, which helped our family dynamic, and I felt more comfortable openly seeking the support Doug needed.
What are your current challenges as Doug’s caregiver?
Identifying resources for my husband, developing a support network, and finding a balance between caregiving, family, and work are among my biggest challenges. Caregiving is a difficult job and many caregivers experience compassion fatigue. Having a community of support, both local and national, is vital and can help alleviate burnout.
How has being a Dole Caregiver Fellow changed your caregiver experience?
As a Fellow, I feel I have an even better opportunity to increase awareness of the mental health needs of our veterans and caregivers and reduce the rate of suicide in the military and veteran community.
What advice do you give other caregivers?
My advice is to know that you are not along and to reach out for help. You will learn that you are stronger and more capable than you imagined. As a caregiver, I have discovered that I am resilient and compassionate and have learned to set a daily intention to make each day count.
Donor Spotlight
Look up at the sky, and when you spot an American Airlines flight soaring above, know that you’re witnessing the official airline partner of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in action!
Every year, American Airlines proudly flies Dole Caregiver Fellows from all corners of the country to Washington, D.C. This remarkable journey allows these caregiver leaders to access essential training, invaluable resources, and the chance to exchange ideas about how best to support caregivers in their hometowns. Most importantly, it gives them the powerful opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill for the greater caregiver community. With the Elizabeth Dole Act currently under negotiation, our Fellows’ direct conversations with their representatives about the bill’s profound impacts are vital for its success.
We are immensely grateful to American Airlines for its unwavering support of the military and veteran community, and for recognizing the indispensable role caregivers play in serving our nation’s heroes.
One in five Americans has a mental illness, and the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased depression and anxiety, but many are reluctant to seek help or don’t know where to turn for care. Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Friends and family members may find it hard to know when to step in.
Join us as we facilitate a virtual Mental Health First Aid training. This course prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Learn a 5-step action plan that guides you through reaching out and offering appropriate support. Facilitated by Shawn Moore and Natasha Swayze, both Licensed Master Social Workers, the course will be from 1 – 4 pm CT on July 24 and 26. This course requires two hours of prep time, and you must attend both sessions to graduate and receive the certificate.
This training is free and limited to the first 30 registrants. Once registration is received, you will get a link to access the portal where you will set up your account to access the needed materials. Please reach out to Shawn Moore (Shawn@elizabethdolefoundation.org) with any questions about the training.
Join us on Friday, August 9 for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s second annual Hidden Helpers Summit, proudly presented by Lockheed Martin and Wounded Warrior Project. This event is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the children and adolescents who are caregivers for our nation’s military and veterans. Among the special speakers joining us will be esteemed child psychology experts Dr. Geri Maples and Dr. Melinda Kavanaugh. This summit is a must-attend for anyone interested in understanding and supporting these remarkable young caregivers.
Don’t miss your chance to join us September 24 for our 9th Annual National Convening on Military Caregiving, where we will release our historic RAND Study – America’s Military & Veteran Caregivers: Hidden Heroes Emerging from the Shadows. Alongside our lead partners, Wounded Warrior Project, AARP, and Lockheed Martin, national leaders, public health experts, and leading advocates for caregivers and veterans will come together to learn about the report’s findings and galvanize action to strengthen support of America’s caregivers, veterans, and their families. Registration is now open!
December 10 – Heroes & History Makers 2024
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is proud to present the 7th Annual Heroes & History Makers Celebration on December 10 in Washington, D.C.
Step into an evening of inspiration at Heroes & History Makers 2024, where courage takes center stage. It will be a memorable night you won’t want to miss as you immerse yourself in the company of honored guests, including the heroic military and veteran caregivers who give so much to support those who served. We can’t wait to see you there!
