Each November, we recognize and honor the more than 63 million family caregivers across the United States who devote their time, energy, and love to supporting a family member or friend with health needs.

Caregiver Action Network, the nationally recognized leader of National Family Caregivers Month (NFC Month), partners with organizations and advocates across the country to highlight caregivers' challenges, celebrate their dedication, and connect them with the resources they need.

About National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Month is a time to:

• Raise awareness of the essential role family caregivers play in our healthcare system

• Educate communities about the challenges caregivers face and the supports they need

• Connect caregivers with trusted resources that make their journey easier

• Honor caregivers for their commitment, resilience, and love

Since 1994, November has been recognized through presidential proclamations, nonprofit campaigns, and community events nationwide. Each year features a unique theme chosen by Caregiver Action Network.

2025 Theme: Plug-in to Care

The focus for 2025 is connection—helping caregivers plug in to care by accessing vital support tools, networks, and educational resources.

Get Involved

• Spread the Word
  Share messages, graphics, and stories using #NFCMonth

• Join Events
  Participate in webinars, conversations, and activities throughout November.

Support Caregivers
Use the available toolkits to recognize caregivers in your workplace, community, or organization.

• Download the Campaign Toolkit
  

• Become a Nonprofit Partner
  

• Explore Past Campaigns

Past themes include:

• 2024: iCare…
  

• 2023: #CaregiversConnect
  

• 2022: #CaregivingHappens
  

Why Connection Matters

Family caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system. They provide billions of hours of unpaid care each year while navigating work responsibilities, family life, and their own health needs.

By recognizing National Family Caregivers Month, we highlight their experiences and connect them to the resources, support, and community they deserve.

Empowering Future Leaders in Aging at UMBC's Erickson School of Aging Studies

The Erickson School of Aging Studies at UMBC is dedicated to preparing leaders who will improve the lives of older adults, including the millions who rely on family caregivers.

The Erickson School:

• Offers unique interdisciplinary programs that prepare students to lead organizations serving or advocating for older adults

• Connects the strength of a leading research university with the real-world expertise of leaders in the aging services field

• Provides Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Education
  

• Blends knowledge of human aging, public policy, and management, developing essential skills such as communication, financial acumen, critical thinking, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making

• Provides Undergraduate Program Internships that give students hands-on experience and career exploration in aging services

• Requires Capstone Projects in both undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to apply their learning and design innovative solutions that support older adults and caregivers

By educating emerging professionals with this strong interdisciplinary foundation, the Erickson School helps strengthen programs, services, and systems that support caregivers and older adults across the nation.

UMBC entered into a contract with 4imprint in August 2023 and implemented a punchout tile in PAW at the same time.  This contract also provides a 10% savings on their products.

Challenges with invoices and POs matching have made this a more difficult process than it should have been.

Effective immediately:

• 4imprint orders that are no more than $5,000 (including shipping) should be ordered through www.4imprint.com and paid by P-card.

• 4imprint orders over $5,000 should be placed via the PAW punchout.  

Either option should include the 10% discount and online orders must use your @umbc.edu address.

When: Friday 11/21 from 12-1p

Where: Physics Building Room 401

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The UMBC Society of Physics of Students will be hosting a talk with Dr. Eileen Meyer to discuss the undergraduate research done in her group here on campus!

Dr. Meyer works to understand the physics and impact of the relativistic jets associated with the most massive black holes. She has won over 400 hours on flagship observatories, and the Meyer/Georganopoulos research group has been well-supported in recent years with over $1.7M in funding from NASA and the NSF ($3.4M lifetime total). Dr Meyer's group regularly collaborates with local scientists at NASA and STScI, as well as others at top Universities around the world.

In addition to her core research area in extragalactic jets and black holes, Dr. Meyer is also interested in developing optical polarimetry instruments for use on small ground-based telescopes like the UMBC Observatory. Her group has developed several prototypes with the goal of extremely sensitive circular and linear polarization measurements of astrophysical sources at the parts-per-million level.

Feel free to come by and ask any questions about undergraduate research that you may have (and grab some Dunkin coffee and munchkins while they last!)

Help celebrate our soon-to-be alumni by volunteering to support winter commencement! There will be two ceremonies: Wednesday, December 17 at 10 a.m. and Thursday, December 18, at 10 a.m., at the CEI Arena.

Take a look at the event staff registration form, which includes preferred assignments and estimated time commitments. The Office of Institutional Advancement will offer breakfast each day and an event staff polo. If you would prefer to participate in the faculty/staff procession in regalia instead, complete the procession registration form.

Reach out to Becky Bosstick with questions: bbosstic@umbc.edu