Parent & Caregiver Loss

Losing a parent or caregiver under any circumstance is a tragic and life-changing event for a child that can impact them in different ways throughout their life. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and fatal overdoses have tragically resulted in hundreds of thousands of children losing a parent or caregiver. It is estimated that more than 200,000 children and youth in the U.S. lost a caregiver due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, and these tragic losses have been disproportionately experienced in Black and American Indian and Alaska Native communities. And between 2019 and 2021, nearly 200,000 people died from a drug overdose, many of whom were parents or caregivers of children.

Supporting children and families who have experienced loss is deeply embedded in the work we do every day at ACF. We are committed to partnering with states, tribes, territories, local governments, community partners, young people, parents, and caregivers to ensure that children and youth who have lost a parent or caregiver are connected with services and resources that can support them emotionally and financially.