SE North Carolina News

U.S. Senators Ted Budd from North Carolina and Ben Ray Luján from New Mexico have introduced the bipartisan Families Care Act. This legislative proposal is aimed at directing the Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to offer peer support services to children, grandparents, and caregivers affected by the opioid crisis.

Senator Budd stated, "The opioid crisis claims tens of thousands of lives every year, leaving families and caregivers to bear the heavy emotional and practical burdens of supporting children hurt by addiction. No family should be forced to walk this difficult path alone. That’s why Senator Luján and I introduced the Families Care Act, to guarantee that families have the support and resources they need to care for children while providing an opportunity for those who have faced similar life circumstances to share their experiences with others."

Senator Luján expressed his commitment by saying, "I’m proud to reintroduce the Families Care Act with Senator Budd to support all of the caregivers who step in when substance use disorder tears families apart. Far too many grandparents and relatives become the primary caregiver when a substance use disorder overtakes their loved one. This legislation will help provide increased support through peer assistance and education, helping reduce caregiver stress and loneliness. By providing essential resources and fostering a supportive community, we can improve caregivers’ well-being and help them show up every day to care for the people they love."

The proposed legislation mandates that ACL provide peer support services via the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Previously introduced in 2024 by Senators Budd and Luján, this bill had been passed out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee as part of efforts under the Older Americans Act.