America鈥檚 Invisible Workforce: The Growing Caregiver Crisis and the Need for Policy Reform
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Join Alexis Swearingen, LCSW, for this workshop examining the growing caregiver crisis through a policy and social justice lens.
As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, the United States is facing an unprecedented caregiving crisis. More than 53 million Americans currently serve as unpaid family caregivers, providing essential support to aging relatives with medical, behavioral health, and daily living needs. Research estimates that the economic value of unpaid caregiving exceeds $600 billion annually, making family caregivers one of the largest yet least supported components of the healthcare system. Many caregivers reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely in order to provide care, often exhausting their own financial resources while navigating fragmented support systems.
This workshop will examine the growing caregiver crisis through a policy and social justice lens, exploring how systemic gaps in caregiver assistance programs disproportionately impact families and marginalized communities. Participants will explore the economic, psychosocial, and workforce implications of caregiving while examining emerging policy initiatives aimed at strengthening caregiver supports. Through lecture and facilitated discussion, attendees will gain practical strategies for supporting caregivers in clinical and human service settings while advocating for systemic reforms that promote sustainable care systems.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Describe demographic trends associated with aging populations and the increasing reliance on unpaid family caregivers.
- Identify the economic and workforce impacts of caregiving, including reduced employment, financial strain, and long-term economic consequences for caregivers.
- Examine systemic and policy gaps that limit access to meaningful caregiver support services.
- Apply strategies within clinical and human service settings to identify caregiver stress and connect caregivers with supportive resources.
Tuition
- $80 –聽 General Registration
- $60 – Alumni, Field Instructor, FFL, Current 蜜芽TV School of Social Work Adjunct Fee
- $45听– Veterans Rate/蜜芽TV School of Social Work Students
- Free (with code) – Current 蜜芽TV School of Social Work Students
Credentialing Information
To receive approved continuing education credits, participants must attend the entire training or workshop and submit a completed evaluation form.
CEs: 3
See full credentialing information and CEUs
About the Instructor
Alexis Swearingen, LCSW
Alexis Swearingen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with professional experience supporting individuals and families navigating complex medical, behavioral health, and social service systems. Her work has focused on care coordination, psychosocial assessment, and connecting vulnerable populations with community resources to address barriers to care. Alexis has extensive experience working with individuals managing chronic health conditions and the family caregivers who often serve as their primary support system. Through her clinical and systems-based perspective, she is passionate about addressing gaps in caregiver support, reducing systemic barriers, and advocating for policies that promote equitable and sustainable care for aging populations.
Cancellation Policy
Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations made seven working days or fewer before the event for any reason鈥攐r for no-shows. We can provide credit towards a future workshop up to 24 hours before the event. After that, no credit will be issued.
Accessibility Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and 蜜芽TV require that all events be accessible. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the event host identified on the event webpage; please allow for a reasonable time frame. The event host, when necessary, will collaborate with the Student Access Office.