The Retention Risk Hiding in Plain Sight
We help Fortune 500 CHROs uncover and solve the complex caregiving burden quietly draining their workforce, faster and more cost effectively than tackling it alone.
What Do We Mean by "Complex Caregiver"?
A complex caregiver is a parent raising a child with neurodevelopmental, medical, behavioral, or mental health needs.
It's a population that's larger, more common, and more financially significant than most workforce strategies account for.
The Data
More than 1 in 4 U.S. children (26.2%) have special health care needs requiring care beyond what is “typical.”50.4 million employed U.S. adults are parents of children under age 18, out of 163.5 million employed U.S. adults.
Because many families have more than one child, the more relevant measure is the share of households with at least one child with special health care needs, last measured at 28.6% and likely higher today given rising prevalence.
Together, these data suggest that anywhere from 1 in 12 to 1 in 8 employees are likely raising a child with complex needs.
(Sources: U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, December 2025 and 2019-2020 data briefs; BLS 2025 Current Population Survey)
1 in 6 children have developmental disabilities.
(Source: Scientific Reports, 2023)
About 15% of students receive special education services.
(Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2022-23)
40% of caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities left their jobs due to caregiving responsibilities.
90% said their careers had been negatively affected.
(Source: FINDS Community Report 2023, University of Minnesota & The Arc of the United States)
What Does It Take to Stop Losing Your Best People?
Reveal the Risk
Analyze your existing employee data and support structures to map where complex caregiving is creating invisible strain.
Strengthen the Support
Retool the benefits, policies, manager practices and ERG support already in place to actually meet the needs of your complex caregivers.
Retain the Talent
Build the internal capability to sustain that support so your complex caregivers stay, perform, and trust the organization with their hardest seasons.
Only Complex Caregiver Solutions Gets You There
Harvard Business School research found that companies investing in caregiver support generate ROI exceeding 100% through reduced attrition alone.
Complex Caregiver Solutions is how you get there.
HEATHER LAING
Founder & CEO of Complex Caregiver Solutions
I’m a former Head of People with 20 years of HR and Talent leadership experience across companies including VMware, SanDisk, and Sonos, and a certified life coach.
As the parent of a child with neurodevelopmental and behavioral needs, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to help organizations better support complex caregivers.
Ready to Build a More Resilient Workforce?
Schedule a free 45-minute Workforce Resilience Strategy Session today.