National Caregiving Youth Framework 

The Military Child World Expo Foundation serves as the national convener and steward of the Military-Connected Caregiving Youth Recognition Framework. This Framework exists to address a long-standing national gap: while caregiving youth, particularly those in military-connected families, have been widely documented, the nation has lacked a unified, civic-facing system to recognize, verify, and honor their service.

 

What This Framework Provides

• National Standards for defining and recognizing youth caregiving service

• A Secure National Registry to document verified caregiving service hours

• Recognition and Verification Tools usable by schools, communities, and institutions

• Aggregate Reporting to inform policy and public understanding

 

What This Framework Is Not

• Not a clinical or therapeutic program

• Not a medical or diagnostic system

• Not a replacement for family support services

 

Participation is voluntary, non-stigmatizing, and designed to respect youth privacy while acknowledging service, responsibility, and contribution.