Statement from Easterseals President and CEO Davenport on National Caregivers Day

February 26, 2026

In recognition of National Caregivers Day on Feb. 20, Kendra Davenport, president and CEO of Easterseals, issued the following statement:

“Caregivers are the backbone of our communities and our economy. Every day, millions of parents, family members and direct support professionals provide the care that allows children to grow, adults to live independently and older Americans to age with dignity. Their work makes all other work possible.

At Easterseals, caregiving is at the heart of everything we do. For more than 100 years, our network has supported people with disabilities, older adults, veterans and families, and that means supporting caregivers, too. Whether it’s early childhood programs, in-home services, respite care, workforce training or community-based supports, our mission has always been rooted in helping families navigate the realities of care with confidence and stability.

Caregiving is also an economic issue. When families cannot access reliable care, parents are pushed out of the workforce, careers are interrupted and businesses lose talent. Strengthening caregiving supports is essential to a strong workforce and a resilient economy.

We are proud that Easterseals was recently named one of America’s Best Workplaces for Women, a recognition that reflects our commitment to supporting the caregivers within our own workforce as well. Many caregivers are women balancing careers and family responsibilities, and organizations have a responsibility to create environments where they can succeed and thrive.

On National Caregivers Day, we honor the dedication, compassion and expertise of caregivers across the country. But recognition alone is not enough. Caregivers need policies, resources and community support that match the scale of their contribution. Easterseals will continue to advocate for solutions that strengthen families, expand access to services, and ensure caregivers are valued every day.