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Operation Family Caregiver

Inaugural Award Presented to Military & Veteran Caregiver Network

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Presents Inaugural Award

Monday, August 22nd, 2016— ATLANTA, GEORGIA — At a celebratory dinner on July 29, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter awarded the first Caregiver Champion Award to the innovative and exceptional Military and Veteran Caregiver Peer Support Network(MVCN), which provides peer support to those who care for service members and veterans living with injuries. This award was established by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI), which offers evidence-based support programs to caregivers across the country, including military caregivers through its Operation Family Caregiver program. Operation Family Caregiver provides support to the caregivers of service members and veterans who have been injured.

The 2016 Rosalynn Carter Caregiver Champion Award honors the many leaders in our nation who are actively advocating for the distinct needs of military caregivers. These actions—some taking place behind the scenes and others more visible—are critical to ensuring that military caregivers receive services that will support them throughout their caregiving journey and are proven to work.

RCI selected the MVCN from among many nominees, recognizing its success in reducing isolation and increasing a sense of connectedness, engagement, hopefulness, wellness among caregivers, as well as their knowledge and skills. The MVCN supports caregivers through three caregiver-only, peer-support programs: the Online Peer Support Community, Peer Mentor Support Program, and Peer Support Groups (Online & Community-Based). The network grew out of and is modeled after the nationally recognized, evidence-based programs of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which provides compassionate peer-based support to the loved ones of those who died during or as a result of their service in the Armed Forces.

When the former First Lady presented the award to MVCN staff at the awards dinner, she emphasized the huge impact the network is having on military caregivers—the heroes behind America’s national heroes. “It is so important that we recognize and honor those organizations, like the Caregiver Peer Support Network, that are championing caregivers and improving lives,” said the former First Lady.

The MVCN received a cash award of $2,500. Dr. Lynda Davis, Executive Vice President of TAPS and the Executive Director of the MVCN, accepted the award with gratitude. “TAPS has allowed us to bring their evidence-based, best practices in peer support to the aid of our nation’s caregivers and to provide training to, and share technology with, organizations with similar missions like the exceptional programs Mrs. Carter and the Operation Family Caregiver team have created,” she said.

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    • RCI Statement on Afghanistan
    • RCI and WWP to Create Connections for Military Families
    • RCI and Blue Star Families Explore Caregiving in Military Families
    • RCI Teams Up with Duke University to Improve Supports for Caregivers
    • K. Conwell Smith Joins Rosalynn Carter Institute
    • OFC Announces New Partnerships
    • OFC to Provide Sesame Street Materials for Military Kids
  • 2019 Headlines
    • OFC to Support Families Affected by Hurricane Harvey
    • Support for Military Families Expands to El Paso
    • RCI and ALS Association of GA Announce Partnership
    • Support of Military Families Expands to VA Facilities
    • OFC Continues In Washington State
  • 2018 Headlines
    • Olsen Says Democracy Alive and Well
    • Caregivers Honored at 2018 Summit
    • Rosalynn Carter Hosts Summit to Celebrate Caregivers
    • National Summit to Take Place This Fall
    • 2018 Stepanek Scholarship Open
    • OFC Continues In Washington State
  • 2017 Headlines
    • 2017 Caregiving Scholarships Awarded
    • Easom Pens Op-ed for Memorial Day
    • Applications Open for 2017 Caregiving Scholarship
    • OFC Launches in Washington State
  • 2016 Headlines
    • Easterseals Washington Selected as New OFC Site
    • Caregiver Champion Award Presented to MVCN
    • OFC Expands to Washington and Nevada
  • 2015 Headlines
    • RCI Honors Caregivers at 2015 Annual Summit
    • OFC Adds Three New Locations
    • RCI Expands OFC by Two Sites
    • RCI Supports Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes
    • OFC Expands to Three New Sites
  • 2014 Headlines
    • OFC Moves Into More States
    • RCI RAND Study
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