In May, Community Care Corps (C3) welcomed and onboarded our 2026–2027 cohort of grantees. These organizations represent a wide range of volunteer programs to support older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers, with many programs focused on transportation, volunteer chaperone services, social connection, caregiver support, and serving unique populations. In this issue, we highlight research, resources, and learning opportunities that can help strengthen volunteer-based caregiving and community support efforts nationwide.
New Research on Caregiver Navigation
USAging’s new environmental scan, Mapping Caregiver Navigation Services, provides a comprehensive look at caregiver navigation services across the Aging Network. Drawing on surveys, listening sessions, and interviews with Area Agencies on Aging, State Units on Aging, family caregivers, and technology leaders from all 50 states, the report highlights current strengths, identifies service gaps, and shares what caregivers say they need most.
The findings offer valuable insights for organizations working to strengthen caregiver supports and can help programs better understand how their efforts fit within the broader aging network.
AARP Article: Solo Agers Facing the Future Need a Network of Friends
In 2025, AARP released an article that focuses on the experiences and needs of “solo agers” and discusses practical strategies for planning ahead and creating strong support systems. The article emphasized the importance of identifying trusted individuals who can serve as advocates during times of need, building a personal “village” of friends, neighbors, and community connections before a crisis occurs, and taking proactive steps to strengthen social connections and reduce isolation.
These themes closely align with the work of many of our grantees, whose volunteer programs help older adults maintain social connections, access community resources, and build the supportive relationships that contribute to healthy aging.
Learning Opportunities
Training: Improving Practice to Support Family Caregivers
The Family Caregiver Alliance launched a new online training course that is designed to help professionals strengthen their understanding of the realities of caregivers from unique populations and help with developing practical approaches to support their needs.
This is a helpful resource for training efforts that strengthen the caregiving workforce and improve services for family caregivers with different backgrounds and lived experiences.
NCSC Peer Learning Series
The U.S. Administration for Community Living’s National Caregiver Support Collaborative (NCSC) is launching two new action-oriented peer learning series designed to help organizations strengthen caregiver support services. Participants will receive expert guidance, peer learning opportunities, and practical strategies to advance caregiver support efforts within their organizations. Each cohort will focus on a core topic, such as:
- Cohort 3: Building and strengthening community partnerships
- Cohort 4: Leveraging caregiver assessment
Organizations interested should contact NCSC through their website to find updates and upcoming opportunities.
Resource Corner
Available Transportation Resources
Reliable transportation remains one of the most frequently identified needs among older adults and family caregivers. The Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC) and the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC) offer valuable resources.
- ATRC works to advance accessible transportation by increasing awareness and adoption of accessibility strategies, supporting community engagement in transportation planning, and promoting mobility solutions that better serve older adults, people with disabilities, and other under resourced populations.
- CCAM-TAC provides technical assistance, tools, and resources to help organizations improve transportation access and coordination across human services, public transit, and non-emergency medical transportation systems.
Those interested in strengthening transportation services, expanding volunteer transportation and chaperone programs, or exploring new mobility partnerships may find these resources particularly helpful as they support older adults in remaining connected to their communities and essential services.
C3 Learning Library
Check out our Learning Library that houses a collection of replicable and conceptual approaches that improve outcomes, reduce barriers, and enable organizations to create impactful volunteer-based programs providing nonmedical assistance to older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.
