community

BCS has created peer support groups and workshops to provide caregiving students with a community and practical resources. These initiatives offer a safe space for students to share their experiences, manage their time, and advocate for their needs.

recognition

Before the Caregiver Student Initiative (CSI) was established in 2022, caregiving students were entirely absent from UCLA’s support systems. There was no acknowledgment of their unique challenges in any university services or policies. Our work brought the "caregiver identity" into the UCLA ecosystem for the first time, raising awareness among stakeholders and highlighting the urgent need for policies and resources to support these students.

research

​We collaborated with the Bruin Resource Center and Student Affairs Information & Research Office (SAIRO) to conduct UCLA’s first-ever survey on caregiving students, revealing major challenges like academic disruptions, financial strain, and emotional stress. Nearly 60% spent over 10 hours a week caregiving, leading to missed classes and late assignments. Additionally, 62% felt isolated and unsupported by university resources. This data fuels our advocacy for better institutional support and policy change.

Our founder, Ashlie Dao, was awarded the prestigious Dean’s Prize in 2024 for the groundbreaking research on caregiving students, further validating the importance of recognizing and supporting this overlooked population.

Fundraiser

We collaborated with UCLA’s Student Affairs Development team to host the first-ever fundraiser specifically for caregiving students. Funds raised are being used for scholarship stipends and program development to directly benefit caregiving students.