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INTRODUCTION This report provides a comprehensive review of current knowledge regarding (1) the characteristics and needs of family caregivers;(2) caregiver support interventions and their outcomes, particularly regarding the five service areas identified in the NFCSP and (3) model programs for supporting caregivers. It is hoped that this report will provide the California Department of Aging and local Area Agencies on Aging with a foundation for developing service programs to assist family members in maintaining their caregiver roles for their older family members who are ill or who have disabilities Caregiver Characteristics and Needs This section of the report provides a review of several general areas of family caregiving research, including:(1) the prevalence of caregiving and characteristics of caregivers,(2) the impact of caregiving,(3) caregiver needs, and (4) trends in family caregiving that have been identified over time. By some estimates, nearly one out of every six households gives care nationwide, equating to 2.9 million households in California alone (NAC/AARP, 1997; Scharlach, 2001). Most caregivers are female (Montgomery & Kosloski, 1999; NAC/AARP, 1997; Stone et al., 1987; Wagner, 1997); and, there are slightly higher frequencies of caregiving among minority ethnic groups than among Caucasians (NAC/AARP, 1997). Almost half of all caregivers nationwide are employed (NAC/AARP, 1997), suggesting that approximately 1.8 million caregivers in California balance care duties with work. The care given ranges significantly, based upon the needs of the care recipient; however, 98% of caregivers assist with at least one …