At CASI, we believe that real change for working caregivers comes through dedicated advocacy and strategic lobbying. Our efforts are focused on shaping policy at both the state and federal levels, ensuring that the unique needs and invaluable contributions of caregivers are recognized and protected by law.
Why Advocacy Matters: Bridging the Protection Gap
The challenges faced by working caregivers – from outdated workplace policies to employment discrimination and isolation – highlight a critical gap in legal protections. While employers granted you accommodations in the past, the shift to Return-to-Office (RTO) policies, like the one you experienced in 2024, underscores how precarious these informal arrangements can be without legislative backing. Advocacy is not just about raising awareness; it's about enacting binding laws that provide the necessary safeguards and support for caregivers, ensuring they can balance their professional lives with their crucial caregiving duties without fear of reprisal or career derailment.
Statistics: The Growing Ranks of Working Caregivers
In America today, an alarming reality often goes unnoticed: over 32 million professionals are navigating dual roles, diligently balancing their full-time jobs with the critical responsibility of caring for loved ones with health needs. This number isn't stagnant; it's growing rapidly, even as the support systems available to these vital caregivers are simultaneously diminishing. This demographic represents a significant, yet largely underserved, segment of our workforce, whose unique needs and immense contributions often remain hidden in the shadows.
Citizen Lobbying: Your Voice, Our Power
As citizen lobbyists, we recognize the immense power of collective action. Your experiences and stories are the most potent tools in our advocacy arsenal. We empower individuals to engage directly with their elected officials, making their voices heard in the legislative process. Whether it's through sharing your personal testimony, contacting your representatives, or participating in grassroots campaigns, every action contributes to building momentum for the Colorado CARE Act and the Federal CARE Act. We provide guidance and resources to help you effectively communicate the urgent need for these protections to policymakers.
Key Issues We Are Addressing
Our advocacy efforts are laser-focused on specific, impactful changes that address the core challenges faced by working caregivers:
- Workplace Accommodations: Championing legislation that mandates reasonable workplace accommodations for caregivers, recognizing their essential role and preventing discrimination.
- Economic Realities: Highlighting how supporting working caregivers through legislation is not just a social imperative but an economic benefit, preventing lost wages, reducing reliance on public assistance, and fostering a stable tax base.
- Healthcare System Integration: Emphasizing the critical role of informal caregivers in sustaining our healthcare system and advocating for policies that enable them to continue providing care without sacrificing their careers.
Our Approach: Strategic, Balanced, and Effective
- Our lobbying strategy is built on a foundation of well-thought-out proposals that consider the broader implications for all stakeholders. We are committed to achieving legislative change by:
- Addressing Budget Concerns: For the Colorado CARE Act, our proposals, including the graduated fee-based Family Caregiver Support Fund and a TABOR exemption, are specifically designed to address Colorado's limited state budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility without burdening general funds.
- Mitigating Business Concerns: We actively engage with opposition legislators and business associations to address concerns about "undue legislative and procedural burden." Our proposed phased approaches and clear fiscal accountability measures are crafted to ensure that new protections are implemented smoothly and sustainably for businesses.
- Building Consensus: We work tirelessly to build bipartisan support for our acts, focusing on common ground and the shared benefits of creating a more inclusive and productive workforce.
Join CASI in our mission to transform the landscape for working caregivers. Your involvement in our advocacy and lobbying efforts is crucial to turning our vision into reality.