 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click here to view current newsletter
Are you raising your grandchildren or children who are relatives?
- Do you worry about all the adjustments the children have to make?
- Do you wonder how to raise your grandchildren or your relative's children
in today's world with the values you feel are important?
- Would you like to know how to make the school and community work for them?
- Do you wonder what to tell them about their parents, and why you are the one who is caring for them?
- Would you like the children to have a healthy relationship with their parents?
- Is school difficult for the children you care for?
- Could you use some tips for facing legal issues?
- Would your children like to meet other children living with grandparents or relatives?
Welcome to the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Relatives as Parents Program
You are not alone.
There are 2,350,477 grandparents responsible for their own grandchildren under age 18; 889,415 are grandfathers.
1 in 12 children under 18 are growing up in a grandparent-headed household.
The numbers of children in grandparent-headed households have increased 105% since 1970 and 30% since 1990.
Their are eight times more children in grandparent-headed homes than in the foster care system.
Grandparent and relative caregivers exist across all income levels, geographic areas, and racial and ethnic groups.
For grandparents and other relative caregivers.
Services available at no cost to participants:
- The Party Line: share challenges and solutions with other relative caregivers through two monthly conference call support groups
- The Breakfast Bunch: regular get-togethers at a local restaurant for phone support participants
- Respite: take a break for a few hours while a Family Friend volunteer stays with your children
- Mileage reimbursement: for travel to and from events
- Informational newsletter
- Information and Referral: answers to questions, referral to other agencies and organizations or just someone to talk with
- Family events: bring everyone along. Good food and special activities
for the children
"Raising a grandchild is not where I expected
to be at this point in my life, but now that I am here, I wouldn't trade
it for anything in the world"
- Grandparent Caregiver
"I do miss my Mom, but I like living with
Aunt Mary and Uncle John. Before I'd have to get the little kids dressed
and change their diapers and stuff and give them bottles if they cried
at night. Now my aunt and uncle help and I go to school."
- Sheri, age 11
Click here to view current newsletter
For more information call
983-7058 or 1-877-660-2725.
A program from:
Region IV Area Agency on Aging and the Senior Volunteer Programs.
With funding from Strong Families/Safe Children and
the Berrien Community Foundation