Kansas City PBS announces a slate of programming to complement the premiere of Caregiving, a new PBS documentary from celebrity actor Bradley Cooper. The documentary focuses on the work of often unpaid caregivers as they provide support to loved ones with illnesses and disabilities. To support the national conversation with local voices, Kansas City PBS is rolling out a televised town hall, a series of digital shorts and additional local reporting in June that dives into the state of Kansas City’s local care system.
Caregiving will be available to stream on the PBS app starting Tuesday, May 27, and airs on Channel 19.1 on Tuesday, June 24, at 8 p.m. Kansas City PBS’ televised town hall, The Invisible Army, airs on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. Flatland, Kansas City PBS’ nonprofit newsroom, will examine individual stories of local caregivers in a series of short videos available at flatlandkc.org starting on June 5.
“Kansas City PBS is proud to offer such a robust line-up of programming that sheds light on our society's care system. We hope these programs spark conversations that empower our local caregivers and connect them with the essential support services they need,” said Kliff Kuehl, Kansas City PBS president and CEO.
Narrated by award-winning actress Uzo Aduba, Caregiving brings audiences into the daily experiences of several family and professional caregivers across the U.S. as they share the realities associated with providing full-time care and the often-complicated challenges and emotions that are part of the care relationship.
To better understand the state of caregiving in Kansas City, Week in Review host Nick Haines will moderate a panel of local experts and caregivers in The Invisible Army town hall. In partnership with the Kansas City Public Library, the panel will feature representatives from local organizations that prioritize caregivers.
Flatland will take audiences a step further by pulling back the veil on the intimate lives of our city’s caregivers in a new series of digital shorts from filmmaker John McGrath. The series follows the story of a child born with a disability and his journey with his family to find the tools he needs to have a better life. Plus, the series will provide resources to help caregivers cope with an aging population that will soon outnumber individuals 18 and under for the first time in history. This programming is made possible thanks to AARP Kansas City.
Join the Conversation
The Invisible Army: Caregivers in KC town hall will take place on Tuesday, June 10, at 6 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch and premiere on Kansas City PBS Channel 19.1 on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. To join in person, visit kansascitypbs.org/events.