SE North Carolina News

Today, Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Ben Ray Luján’s (D-NM) Families Care Act passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee – a key step towards it becoming law.

The bill was included and passed as part of the Older Americans Act.

The Families Care Act directs the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to provide peer support services for grandparents and caregivers caring for children affected by the opioid crisis.

Sen. Budd said in a statement: “Over 107,000 Americans died of an overdose last year. In North Carolina, nearly 12 people die each day of a drug overdose. More must be done to care for the children and loved ones left behind after an overdose. That’s why I joined Senator Lujan to introduce the Families Care Act. This is an important step to make sure that families hurt by addiction and overdose are not left behind. No family in pain should be isolated in their time of need. Our bill will provide the opportunity for those who have walked this road before to share their experiences with others.”

Sen. Luján said: “I’m proud to introduce the Families Care Act with Senator Budd to support grandparent caregivers. As substance use disorders continue to impact American families, many grandparents and other family members are assuming more caregiving for children. This legislation provides more support for caregivers affected by familial substance use disorders with more peer support and best practices. This initiative can help relieve caregiver stress and isolation by providing practical advice and fostering a supportive community. By equipping caregivers with essential resources and connections, we can enhance their well-being and improve the quality of care they provide.”