Since its founding in 2012, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation has achieved an impressive list of accomplishments.
- Winter 2011
Senator Dole meets with military and veteran families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and learns about the military caregiving crisis.
- February 2012
Senator Dole creates Caring for Military Families: the Elizabeth Dole Foundation
- September/October 2012
Senator Dole commissions the RAND Corporation to conduct an evidence-based needs assessment of caregivers
- October 2012
The Foundation launches its Innovation Grants Program (now named the Hidden Heroes Fund)
- March 2013
The first phase of the RAND report is unveiled
- Fall 2013
A newly expanded 50 state Dole Caregiver Fellows program is announced
- Winter 2013/2014
The Foundation begins discussions with select coalition members to organize collaborative partnerships to address gaps in coverage identified by the RAND research
- April 1, 2014
The Foundation-sponsored RAND report is released in a press briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, followed by a RAND briefing for potential coalition members
- April 9, 2014
The Foundation organizes annual Storming of the Hill. Dole Caregiver Fellows meet with more than 100 congressional representatives culminating in Senator Patty Murray’s introduction of the Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act
- April 10, 2014
Senator Elizabeth Dole and Dole Caregiver Fellows join First Lady Michelle Obama, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and Dr. Jill Biden at the White House to announce a series of major Foundation-facilitated commitments from a new National Coalition of Partners to address gaps in services and support for military caregivers
- July 29, 2014
In partnership with the Foundation, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator John McCain, Senator Jack Reed and Congressman Jeff Miller launch the Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus
- February 11-12, 2015
The Foundation hosts the Hidden Heroes Impact Forum, launching seven Impact Councils addressing areas the RAND report identified as critical: Interfaith Action and Ministry, Community Support at Home, Education and Training, Employment and Workplace Support, Financial and Legal Issues, Mental and Physical Health, and Respite Care
- April 22, 2015
Senator Patty Murray reintroduces the Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act with the bi-partisan, bi-cameral support of Senator Susan Collins and Representative Jim Langevin
- May 19, 2015
American Airlines provides three million miles, and Hilton Hotels provides accommodations for more than 70 Dole Caregivers Fellows’ travel to Washington, DC. Fellows attend a welcome a reception with Donald Trump, co-hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative
- May 20, 2015
The Foundation fulfills its promise to account for the National Coalition’s progress at the Hidden Heroes Coalition Summit, featuring First Lady Michelle Obama and VA Secretary Robert McDonald
- May 21, 2015
The roles of the public sector and faith communities are recognized at the Foundation’s Focus on Faith prayer reception with special guest Pastor Joel Osteen and the four co-chairs of the Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus
- May 23, 2016
The House passes the Support Our Military Caregivers Act, introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik, as a result of her work with the Dole Caregiver Fellows
- September 27, 2016
Campaign Chairman Tom Hanks joins Senator Dole, Dole Caregiver Fellows, and Coalition Partners to launch the Hidden Heroes campaign and unveil HiddenHeroes.org, a first-of-its-kind online destination to address the specific needs of military caregivers
- September 28, 2016
The Foundation partners with the VA and Mayo Clinic to hold its first annual conference, Empowering Hidden Heroes: Pathways to InnoVAtion
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