Menendez Introduces Legislation to Establish National Hotline for Caregivers of Individuals Living with Developmental Disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Menendez introduced the Caregiver Access to Resources and Emotional Support (CARES) Hotline Act, legislation establishing the first-ever national 24/7 hotline dedicated to supporting caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.

"Caregivers are the backbone of support for millions of Americans living with developmental disabilities, but they are too often left without the resources, guidance, and support they deserve," said Congressman Menendez. "Our CARES Hotline Act creates a critical lifeline to provide caregivers with emotional support, counseling, and other key services. I am proud to introduce this legislation to support our dedicated and compassionate caregivers and help them continue to make a difference in the lives of so many across our country."

"No family should be told to figure autism out alone, yet that is the reality for far too many," said Jas Singh, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Whole Spectrum Autism. "The CARES Hotline is a critical step toward changing that by giving caregivers a real place to turn in moments of stress, uncertainty, and isolation. This is about more than support, it is about access, guidance, and making sure families are no longer navigating this journey without help. Whole Spectrum Autism is proud to support this effort and stand behind solutions that bring real, immediate impact to our community."

"Caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities, including Autism, are a vital part of our communities, and many are stretched thin managing complex systems and significant emotional demands without adequate support," said Joseph Joyce, President and CEO, Autism Society of America. "Establishing a national hotline is a meaningful step toward ensuring caregivers have access to timely information, mental health resources, and compassionate support when they need it most. We commend Representative Menendez for recognizing this critical gap and introducing legislation that prioritizes the well-being of caregivers and, in turn, the individuals they support."

The CARES Hotline Act was developed after Congressman Menendez engaged in conversations with Whole Spectrum Autism, a Jersey City-based autism advocacy group. These conversations highlighted the struggle caregivers face in navigating the unique challenges of caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, managing services across fragmented systems, and dealing with the emotional and financial strain that accompanies long-term caregiving.

The CARES Hotline Act would:

• Create a nationwide, toll-free, 24/7 hotline staffed by trained professionals who can provide emotional support, brief intervention, and mental health referrals.
• Offer peer-to-peer counseling so caregivers can connect with others who understand their experiences.
• Establish and maintain a national database of caregiver resources, ensuring timely access to relevant information and support services across all states and territories.

This legislation is endorsed by Whole Spectrum Autism and the Autism Society of America. It is co-sponsored by Congressmembers Lou Correa (CA-46), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

Earlier this month, Menendez met with Subodh Garg, who was featured on Netflix's Love on the Spectrum, and his sister and autism advocate Aarti Garg to discuss support for those in the autism community and caregivers.

Congressman Menendez currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he continues to champion legislation supporting families, expanding community resources, and ensuring vulnerable populations receive the care and attention they deserve.

• Print
• Email
• Share