American Association of Caregiving Youth® Announces the CAREGIVING YOUTH INSTITUTE CONFERENCE

March 24, 2015 - PRLog -- The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY), the only US organization solely dedicated to the support of the large, hidden population of children who sacrifice their education, health, well-being and childhood to provide care for family member.

The Caregiving Youth Institute (CYI) was established in 2014 in direct response to the growing number of caregiving youth who are unrecognized, invisible and falling through the system cracks in healthcare, education and the community; youth who, without the right support, have a high risk of failing to become healthy, educated and productive adults. Unlike other countries, including the United Kingdom, there are no professional or public support services in the United States addressing the issues and solutions of this hidden population.  In Palm Beach county Florida, the AACY through its Caregiving Youth Project is determined to change this both here and across the country.

The CYI has assembled an exciting array of speakers from the domains of healthcare, education and the community to share research findings and challenges as well as to determine best approaches and remedies to enable the success of young caregivers.

Among authorities on the topic include Julia Belkowitz, MD of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Melinda S. Kavanaugh, PhD, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee who will disclose research findings on the “Hidden Population of Caregiving Youth.”  Dr. Kavanaugh has presented on youth caregivers, nationally and internationally.

Among other expert speakers include: Seth Bernstein, PhD,  Priscilla Boerger, EdD of Lynn University and program sponsor; Donna Cohen, PhD of the University of South Florida; Alison Adler, EdD; Carole Kain, PNP, Phd; and, Ann Killets, former Chief Academic Officer of The School District of Palm Beach County.

While the day begins with research including the economic impact of youth caregiving, it will continue with personal stories shared by current and former caregiving youth along with ways to support this otherwise hidden and silent population.  The day will conclude with closing remarks and next steps by former Mayor of the City of Boca Raton Susan Whelchel.

According to Joe Kraus, AACY Board Chair, “AACY both serves young caregivers and strives to bring increased recognition of the challenges they face on a daily basis.  Today, AACY, through its local Caregiving Youth Project and growing national network provides assistance, support, respite and education to students and their family members.  Based upon the escalating increase in requests for assistance directly from caregiving youth within middle and high schools, this problem is only getting worse and must be addressed.”

All interested healthcare professionals, educators, non-profit organizations and community leaders who are involved with caregivers and care receivers of all ages are invited and encouraged to take part in the conference.

Individual ticket cost including breakfast and lunch is $50. For information including group discounts and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cgyinstitute.org or contact Natalia Nincevic at (561) 391.7401.

About AACY:The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a Florida based 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that began serving the greater Boca Raton community in 1998. AACY is the only organization of its kind in the United States that addresses the issues surrounding caregiving youth, a vulnerable and hidden population conservatively estimated to exceed 1.4 million kids ages 8-18 years.  For more information, contact Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD at the American Association of Caregiving Youth (www.aacy.org); Tel: (561) 391-7401; Email: connie@aacy.org