Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025
Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025 would create a Caregiver Skills Training Pilot Program within the Department of Health and Human Services, administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The program would award grants to eligible entities to provide evidence-based caregiver skills training to family caregivers of children aged 0-9 with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities or delays. The goals are to improve the well-being of both children and their caregivers and to promote evidence-based intervention strategies that support better communication, social engagement, daily living skills, caregiver coping, and greater inclusion in family and community life. Grants would require coordination with multiple early childhood and health/social service systems, emphasize cultural and linguistic accessibility, and include a governance structure (a stakeholder committee) to ensure local relevance. The bill sets ambitious but targeted requirements: at least 25 grant recipients across at least 15 states, with each grant funded at no less than $500,000 over five years (total program funding of $10 million per year for 2026–2030). Recipients must provide services at no cost to participants and work to ensure program sustainability, scalability, and alignment with existing Medicaid, IDEA, and other services. HRSA would oversee annual evaluations, host meetings to share best practices, and issue initial and final reports detailing grantee activities, outcomes for children and caregivers, and recommendations to expand the program.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope: Establishes the Caregiver Skills Training Pilot Program to fund evidence-based training for family caregivers of young children (0-9) with autism or other developmental disabilities/delays, aiming to improve child and caregiver well-being and promote family/community inclusion.
- 2Eligible entities and training focus: Grants to nonprofits, FQHCs, accredited academic medical centers, health systems, or collaborations of these, with at least 3 years of relevant experience in culturally and linguistically appropriate services, caregiver coaching, and working with self-advocates or adults with developmental conditions. Training covers communication, social engagement, daily living skills, caregiver response to challenging behaviors, and caregiver coping/self-care, provided at no cost.
- 3Stakeholder governance and equity: Requires a stakeholder implementation committee representing family caregivers, pediatric/early intervention providers, educators, local organizations familiar with community culture, and local government officials, to ensure access and cultural/linguistic appropriateness.
- 4Funding and scale: Not fewer than 25 grant recipients in at least 15 states; each grant at least $500,000 over five years. Grants must supplement rather than replace existing Medicaid, private insurance, IDEA services, or adaptations for diverse groups.
- 5Oversight, evaluation, and dissemination: HRSA must assist grantees, promote services in medically underserved communities, develop sustainability plans, conduct annual evaluations of child and caregiver outcomes, and convene national/regional meetings to share best practices.
- 6Reporting requirements: An initial report due within 6 months of the first grant award detailing grant activity and early outcomes; a final report by the end of FY 2027 with comprehensive findings and recommendations to expand the program.
- 7Funding authorization: Authorizes $10 million per fiscal year for 2026–2030 to implement and sustain the program.