Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) is rooted in former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s belief that there are only four types of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, who are caregivers, who will be caregivers and who will need caregivers. RCI was established in 1987 as a unit of Georgia Southwestern State University in her honor, with the GSW Foundation serving as a fiscal sponsor. In November 2020, RCI transitioned to an independent 501(c)3 to enable scaling of our caregiver programs and advocacy work.

Mrs. Carter recognized caregivers and their unique needs were often overlooked. Her efforts fostered the institute’s national expansion, increased awareness of the challenges facing family caregivers and has positioned them as a vital part of our nation’s public health system. RCI initially offered coaching and support to caregivers in Georgia but has since grown to embrace opportunities to reach more caregivers, in more ways, more often. With more than 53 million people serving as unpaid family caregivers in the United States, the institute’s scope and work continues to evolve under the leadership of Dr. Jennifer Olsen, a prominent epidemiologist, in partnership with Mrs. Carter.

The RCI promotes the health, strength, and resilience of caregivers across the lifespan. RCI will champion the interests of caregivers by partnering with other organizations to support data-informed programs and policies that enable life-long health, strength, and resilience.

Webinars for Military Caregivers is a free and four-part webinar series focused on caregiving issues and real-world solutions, providing tools caregivers can use throughout their journey.

Crisis Text Line

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) also has a partnership with Crisis Text Line, an organization that provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention to millions of people each year. By incorporating targeted outreach to America’s 53 million caregivers, RCI and Crisis Text Line hope to assist a growing community of caregivers navigate the stresses and demands of providing care. Caregivers who need help or just want someone to talk to are encouraged to text TOUGH to 741741, day or night.