RCI was formed in honor of First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1987. Through research, education, and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and professional caregivers; promulgates effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities. These goals are met by forming partnerships with professionals, groups, and individuals to deliver education and training programs, research and program evaluation around care needs, and policy and advocacy efforts that promote healthy individual development and increase community caregiving capacity.

Unique to the Institute are its focus on generic caregiving that pertains to all caregivers across various illnesses and disabilities; incorporation of both lay and professional points of view; and collaboration among front line caregivers, academicians, and students to improve the caregiving process .

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