Congressman Mike Lawler introduced the Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act on March 12, proposing a federal grant program aimed at supporting the health, well-being, and retention of caregivers across the United States. The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create grants for nonprofit organizations that offer programs promoting caregiver wellness.
The bill is inspired by Dream Ioni Shepherd and her mother, Diana E. Lemon, a Hudson Valley resident who became an advocate after caring for her daughter through life-threatening sickle cell disease and a stroke. Lemon’s advocacy led to the passage of Dream’s Law in New York State, which ensures patients discharged from hospitals with complex medical needs receive professional care at home.
Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act seeks to build on this legacy by recognizing caregivers as essential partners in healthcare. The proposed “Dream Grants” could be used for services such as meals, transportation to work, mental health support including post-traumatic stress disorder services, holistic wellness programs, and other supportive resources determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Lawler said, “Caregivers play a critical role in supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those living with chronic illnesses. Yet many face high levels of stress, burnout, and limited support resources. By investing in programs that promote caregiver wellness, this legislation strengthens the support networks caregivers rely on and ensures they have access to the resources they need to stay healthy. Supporting caregivers helps build a stronger, more compassionate care system for the families and communities that depend on them.”
Diana Lemon said, “This legislation is deeply personal to me as a mother and caregiver. For years, my world stood still while I cared for my daughter… Today, Dream’s legacy lives on as the Legacy Founder of the Ossining Community Garden of Dreams Legacy Center… This legislation recognizes what caregivers have always known: love may drive the work, but support is what sustains it.”
Lauren Green added that at their center they use land-based approaches like horticultural therapy to help caregivers restore balance: “Dream’s Caregiver Health and Wellness Act recognizes something deeply human: caregivers should not have to disappear in order to care for the people they love.”
Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District north of New York City. He was rated as one of Congress’s most bipartisan members during his first term.
