Elizabeth Dole Foundation launches national caregiving blueprint with federal leaders

By AI, Created 4:25 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation used its 11th annual convening in Washington, D.C., to unveil a National Blueprint for Action aimed at strengthening support for the 14.3 million Americans caring for wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans. VA Secretary Doug Collins, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Jerry Moran joined the launch as the foundation pushed for a nationwide Culture of Caregiving.

Why it matters: - The National Blueprint for Action is meant to turn caregiver support from awareness into measurable policy and community action. - The plan targets 14.3 million Americans who care for wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans. - The blueprint is designed to give federal agencies, states, employers, providers and community partners a shared framework.

What happened: - The Elizabeth Dole Foundation launched the National Blueprint for Action at its 11th Annual National Convening in Washington, D.C. - The event was held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. - VA Secretary Doug Collins, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Jack Bergman joined caregivers and advocates at the convening. - The foundation framed the gathering as a push to advance a nationwide Culture of Caregiving.

The details: - The blueprint is organized around four pillars: emotional and mental wellness, economic mobility, caregiving youth and families, and supportive care ecosystems. - Foundation CEO Steve Schwab said the blueprint is a commitment to move from awareness to results. - Schwab said the foundation will measure progress against the plan and hold partners accountable. - Collins joined Schwab for a fireside discussion on federal support for family caregivers. - Collins highlighted implementation of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. - The foundation awarded Pelosi its inaugural Lifetime Leadership Award. - Pelosi said the foundation has helped ensure military and veteran caregivers are recognized as essential pillars of strength. - The foundation presented Moran with its Congressional Champion Award. - Moran was recognized for leadership on some of the largest caregiver-support expansions in a generation.

Between the lines: - The convening combined policy messaging, caregiver testimony and partner planning, signaling an effort to move the issue beyond symbolic recognition. - The emphasis on business leaders, service organizations and local action suggests the foundation wants caregiving support to function as a cross-sector system, not just a federal benefits issue. - The awards to Pelosi and Moran also underline the foundation’s strategy of pairing advocacy with political relationships that can keep caregiver policy moving.

What’s next: - The foundation said the blueprint will guide its programs, partnerships and advocacy in the year ahead. - The 2026 Dole Caregiver Fellows will spend the next two years driving local action and policy work in their communities and on Capitol Hill. - The fellows include 23 caregivers from 19 states. - The foundation invited media requests for b-roll, photos and interviews through Jodi Sheedy at media@elizabethdolefoundation.org.

The bottom line: - The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is trying to convert caregiver support into a sustained national agenda with federal backing, local advocates and a measurable plan.