Support and Minority Outreach for

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

LeanOn

Me

Lean on Me Support and Minority Outreach for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Focus Group Data collected and prepared by The Turtle Bay Institute, The Media Network, and The Quan Market Research Company

Survey Data collected by AARP

Survey Data prepared by Marketing & Research Resources

Report prepared by Knowledge Management and The AARP Grandparent Information Center

AARP 601 E Street, NW

Washington, DC 20049 Copyright AARP, September 2003

Revised & Reprinted December 2003 Reprinting with Permission

Acknowledgements

The AARP Grandparent Information Center would like to thank all grandparent caregivers,

support group leaders and support group members who contributed to this research. We

would also like to honor and acknowledge the millions of dedicated grandparents who care

for their grandchildren across the nation.

AARP would like to acknowledge Curt Davies, Dameka Williams, Judith Schroeter-Deegan,

Robert Cagna, and Edward Evans from the Knowledge Management group for lending their

research expertise to this project and research report. We would also like to acknowledge

Amy Goyer of the AARP Grandparent Information Center for her content expertise. Special

thanks to Jane King, Alethea Hunter, Julie Uritus, Brian Williams, Antoinette Delano-Blyther

and Judy Fink for their valuable contributions to this project and research report.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for

people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory

and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of

unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These include AARP The

Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda

Juventud, our quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live and Learn, our quarterly

newsletter for 50+ educators; and our Web site, www.aarp.org. We have staffed offices in all

50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The AARP Grandparent Information Center (AARP GIC) provides national and local level

information and referrals for grandparents, program practitioners, researchers, policymakers

and the general public. We offer a free quarterly newsletter for grandparents raising grand-

children, various print publications, and a national Support Database available on the Web

site www.aarp.org/grandparents.

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 5

CENSUS DATA ................................................................................................................... 7

SUPPORT GROUPS ........................................................................................................... 11

Background ............................................................................................................. 11

Focus Groups .......................................................................................................... 14

Methods ............................................................................................................ 14

Support Group Members’ Perceptions ............................................................... 15

Nonmembers’ Perceptions of Support Groups ................................................... 22

GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP SURVEY .......................................................................... 28

Methods ............................................................................................................ 28

Summary of Survey Findings .............................................................................. 29

MINORITY OUTREACH ..................................................................................................... 39

Background ............................................................................................................. 39

African American Grandparent Caregivers ................................................................ 41

Hispanic Grandparent Caregivers ............................................................................. 43

Native American Grandparent Caregivers ................................................................. 45

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................. 47

BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................ 55

APPENDICES ................................................................................................................... 57

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BackgroundAs previously discussed, there are high incidences of grandchildren living in grandparent-

headed households among many minority populations, in particular among African American,

Hispanic and Native American families.

Outreach of African American Grandparent Caregivers

Although most research on African American grandparent caregivers suggests that these

grandparents not only accept but derive satisfaction from their role as caregivers, the research

also indicates that they find the role stressful. For example, a study by Minkler and Fuller-

Thompson comparing caregiver and noncaregiver grandparents found higher levels of depres-

sion among the caregiver grandparents (“African American Grandparents Raising Grandchil-

dren,” Health & Social Work, 2000).

Compared to Caucasian grandparents, black grandparents are more likely to have informal

networks of social support. Taylor, Chatters and Jackson (1993), for example, found that the

black grandparents in their study “interacted with their family member on a frequent basis…

and were fairly frequent recipients of informal help from extended kin” — help that included

assistance with household chores, “companionship” and transportation (Hunter & Taylor in

Handbook on Grandparenthood, M. Szinovacz, ed., 1998). In a similar vein, research cited

by Brown & Mars indicates “older African Americans, women in particular, are more likely

than similar Caucasian grandparents to call on friends, neighbors and coworkers for informal

help, especially if they are not married” (To Grandmother’s House We Go, C. Cox, ed.,

2000). Although such support helps to reduce stress, it is far from enough to relieve it alto-

gether. In Brown & Mars’ own study, “although most of the grandparents indicated the avail-

ability of sources of social support, many also indicated sources of strain and concern.” The

most significant source of stress for these grandparents was the economic burden of childrearing.

Another source of concern was the grandparents’ own health, which they feared might limit

their ability to provide proper care for their grandchild.

Little research has been conducted specifically on African American caregiver participation

in support groups. However, in Minkler and Roe’s landmark study of grandmothers and great-

grandmothers caring for the children of crack-addicted mothers in Oakland, CA (Grandmoth-

ers as Caregivers: Raising Children of the Crack Cocaine Epidemic, 1993), the caregivers

who belonged to a support group found the experience beneficial. Of most value to these

women was the opportunity to express their feelings, hear about others’ situations, and learn

about concrete sources of assistance.

It should be noted, however, that only a minority of the study participants belonged to a

support group. Barriers to joining included lack of transportation or childcare for the children in

Minority Outreach

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their care. Lack of information was also cited as a reason, suggesting that more outreach would

have been helpful.

Outreach to Latino/Hispanic Grandparent Caregivers

A study of Latino/Hispanic grandparent caregivers in Social Work (D. Burnette, “Custodial

Grandparents in Latino Families: Patterns of Service Use and Predictors of Unmet Needs,”

Jan. 1999) found that study participants were not taking advantage of public services available

to them primarily due to “lack of knowledge about [the] services.” Cultural factors may create

reluctance by Hispanic grandparents to look outside the family for assistance and support.

“Latino culture has a strong basis in familism that stresses the needs of the family and the group

rather than the individual, with a preference for assistance from within the family. Older persons

are frequently relied on to assist with childcare and are likely to be called on to assume primary

responsibility for raising grandchildren when parents are incapacitated or absent. Not accepting

their care or turning to formal agencies for assistance may be perceived as not adhering to

traditional values and expectations” (C. Cox et al. in To Grandmother’s House We Go and

Stay, 2000).

Outreach to Native American Grandparent Caregivers

According to the cultural norms of many Native American subcultures, “primary care pro-

vision for grandchildren is part of the grandparent’s role as cultural conservator” — “a mecha-

nism for imparting cultural information to future generations” (B. Hirshorn in Handbook on

Grandparenthood, 1998). Although this is a traditional role which grandparents — in particu-

lar, grandmothers — accept gladly, many caregiver grandparents are finding it difficult to make

ends meet. As K. Bahr points out, “in the low-income milieu of the reservation, it [is] difficult to

accumulate savings.” Adult children as well as grandchildren are often “the economic responsi-

bility of the grandmother” (Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Summer 1994).

Obtaining adequate social services and supports is a challenge for Native American caregivers

for a variety of reasons. Due to legislative changes enacted in the 1970s, much of the responsi-

bility has been shifted to tribal agencies, yet a study by Red Horse (et al.) found a “lack of tribal

capacity” in addressing child welfare issues (Family Preservation: Concepts in American

Indian Communities, National Indian Children’s Alliance, December 2000). A Casey Family

Programs-funded study of Denver, Colorado area Native Americans’ service needs also found

this to be a problem (Casey Native American Child Welfare Needs Assessment Project:

Final Report, March 2001). The study also found that, in general, the social services available

to Native Americans tend to be fragmented and uncoordinated, with too much “red tape”

associated with them. Often their intended recipients don’t know about them or how to access

them effectively. Another problem identified in both this and the Red Horse et al. study was lack

of sensitivity to/understanding of Native American culture on the part of “mainstream agency”

personnel. The latter issue is particularly important to keep in mind in connection with offering

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support groups to Native American caregivers. The rural, isolated nature of most Indian reser-

vations also needs to be taken into account, along with the limited transportation available to the

typical older Native American.

African American Grandparent Caregivers

Support Groups and Other Support Needs

The national survey of support groups indicated 34% of members are African American.

While there is important statistical significance in the numbers and percentages of African American

grandparents raising grandchildren (see “Census Data” section of this report), few significant

differences were found regarding African American grandparents’ views of support groups

(both current members and nonmembers) or in their desires for support groups or other ser-

vices. Quite a few of the African American respondents — in a formal support group or not —

mentioned a church affiliation

as a source of support for

them and their grandchildren.

African American

grandparents in support

groups feel that support

groups are most beneficial if

they provide information and

access to relevant resources

and give moral support for the issues that a grandparent might face. African American grand-

parents agreed that these elements must be balanced to provide the maximum benefit. Too

much venting by suffering grandparents is not productive; however, simply providing informa-

tion does not address the emotional duress that many of these grandparents face.

Many African American grandparents who are not in support groups feel that their childrearing

skills are just fine. These

grandparents were particularly

concerned that support groups

would disregard and perhaps

be critical of parenting skills

and techniques that had

worked for them. They are

particularly concerned about

being criticized for their means

of disciplining their grandchil-

dren.

“If they can tell me something, I will attend. But,

if it’s just things I already know. Experience is

the best teacher in the world. I don’t need some-

body telling me [stuff I already know].”

“I find that Latinos and African American

people are resistant to help. They’re afraid.

We’re independent. And as long as they’re

afraid, there is going to be a problem because

there are a lot of people who could benefit from

these groups. But, their pride is saying that ‘I

don’t need help.’ A lot of people do not want to

admit to that.”

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Many of the African

American grandparents not in

support groups were ada-

mant that they didn’t need a

support group. However, af-

ter some discussion, most of these grandparents conceded that they could use some assistance

in some areas, and that they could benefit from having a safe haven to talk about their chal-

lenges.

African American grandparents specifically mentioned needing assistance in helping their

grandchildren with “life’s broader issues” (dealing with death, peer pressure, anger, etc.).

Many African American grandparents find that affiliation with a support group offers a

means of validation and empowerment when they feel helpless and unable to influence their

situation.

Outreach

Focus group participants were asked to outline the sources of information they trust and

prefer. Key sources they discussed included (not necessarily in order of preference):

Ê Newspapers

Ê Television

Ê Word-of-mouth

Ê Churches

Ê Local social service agencies and their social workers

Ê Schools

Ê Malls

Ê Local parenting magazines

Ê Government offices

Ê Libraries

Ê Public parks department

Ê Community bulletin board

Ê Healthcare facilities

Ê Work-related employee assistance programs

Ê Internet (Many of the grandparents in our focus groups did have access to the Internet

through some source — at home, at work, or through a local library)

Ê Toll-free “hotlines”

Ê 211 — a phone number for obtaining local information about community happenings

(only available in certain communities across the nation)

“She (the counselor) made us important. She helped

us enough that we could help ourselves.”

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Types of Information Needed

While African American grandparents in our focus groups generally seek the same types of

information as other racial/ethnic groups, they were somewhat more likely to state a need for

help obtaining financial assistance (such as public benefits).

Hispanic Grandparent Caregivers

Support Groups and Other Support Needs

The national survey of support groups indicated 8% of members are Hispanic (7% English-

dominant and 1% Spanish dominant). This low percentage, in comparison to Caucasian (56%)

or African American (34%) support group members, indicates a dearth of support groups

targeting Hispanic grandparent caregivers, especially those who are Spanish dominant.

Hispanic participants in our focus groups included those who prefer English, Spanish and

those who are bilingual Spanish-preferred. We located a limited number of current support

group members whose groups are conducted in Spanish. Many grandparents said that they

would prefer a group conducted in Spanish — even if they are bi-lingual. Some grandparents

indicate that they are more comfortable talking about these sensitive family issues in Spanish.

Hispanic grandparents were asked if they fear disclosing their family situations concerning their

grandchildren. Their concerns and comments included:

Ê Privacy issues — they don’t want to talk about family issues with strangers for various

personal reasons

Ê Once they start talking, they tend to share more because they are stressed by the

situation with their grandchild and the child’s parent(s)

Family privacy is extremely important in the Hispanic culture. Many Hispanic immigrants

have left their countries to escape wars that decimated the economy and the population. To

survive the war, secrecy was vital, and that culture of silence continues to dictate the behavior of

these immigrants. Central American, especially Salvadoran, families are extremely wary of strang-

ers. Private problems — substance abuse, domestic violence, out-of-wedlock pregnancies,

disease — remain within the immediate family and are not shared with strangers.

Hispanic grandparents reported that one of the most important services the support group

offers is respite care. Grandparents need this respite so they can run errands, go to doctors’

appointments and leave the house for a while without their grandchildren.

Some Hispanic grandparents indicated that lack of transportation is a barrier to attending

support groups. Challenges include lack of a personal vehicle, difficulty negotiating public trans-

portation due to language constraints or a lack of public transportation.

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Based on their comments, Hispanic grandparents not attending support groups seem to have

the misconception that local community or social service centers for older adults are the same

thing as grandparent support groups. They believe that support groups primarily provide assis-

tance with documentation and referrals to healthcare, Medicare, Social Security, legal issues,

immigration, financial assistance, etc. Several also thought the purpose was to provide leisure

activities such as arts and crafts. There was a great deal of misinformation among Hispanic

grandparent caregivers in our study.

Outreach

When asked where they go to find information, Hispanic grandparents responses included

(not necessarily in order of preference):

Ê Churches

Ê Television — both English and Spanish stations (some radio or print media, but more

via television)

Ê Local, community-based, grassroots cultural/ethnic organizations

Ê Support group leaders

Ê Schools and school counselors

Ê Social Security (or other government) offices

Ê Word-of-mouth through neighbors, friends or family

It was clear that the best ways to get information to these grandparents is either through

Spanish language TV stations or through community-based cultural/ethnic organizations. Build-

ing trust with these grandparents is one key reason that the community-based organizations are

so important in outreach efforts. When asked where they would go to announce an event to

other Hispanic grandparents, they said: laundromats, post offices, community centers and Spanish

stores.

Spanish-speaking or bilingual-Spanish-preferred grandparents said that they feared calling

agencies because they do not know what to do if they are put on hold or if the person who

answers does not speak Spanish. There was virtually no use of the Internet among these grand-

parents — English or Spanish-speaking.

Many Hispanic grandparent caregivers need in-depth explanations of organizations’ pur-

poses, as they are distrustful when they do not understand what is being offered to them. Once

a service is explained and they understand how they will benefit, then they are interested. Many

Hispanic grandparents don’t know how to read, even in Spanish. They need verbal communi-

cation and one-to-one interactions.

There were some regional differences among Hispanic grandparents. For example, His-

panic grandparents in New York City were much more likely to seek information and support

45

through their local cultural/ethnic organizations. Most Hispanic grandparents in Arizona were

not currently members of support groups generally had not reached out to search for informa-

tion or support — either because they were hesitant to share their family situations, or because

they did not know this type of support for families was possible.

Types of Information and Assistance Needed

While many Hispanic grandparents indicated need for the same general types of informa-

tion as other ethnic/racial groups (such as legal, financial, education, health etc.), they clearly

indicated higher levels of needs in certain areas:

Ê Assistance learning English

Ê Information about cultural differences influencing their grandchildren (especially teen-

aged grandchildren)

Ê Assistance navigating the education system

Ê Support groups conducted in Spanish

Ê Print materials in Spanish

Ê Assistance completing documents and forms for Social Security, legal, medical, finan-

cial and housing benefits

Ê Information about basic child development concepts, strategies to cope with behavior

problems, and teen issues (such as anger management, pregnancy, peer group pres-

sures, drugs, gangs, etc. )

Ê Information about activities for young children and teens (including games, puppetry,

art, music, going to parks and museums, etc. )

Native American Grandparent Caregivers

Support Groups and Other Support Needs

The national survey of support groups indicated 2% of members are Native American. This

low percentage, in comparison to Caucasian (56%), African American (34%) or Hispanic (8%)

support group members, indicates a marked lack of support groups for Native American grand-

parent caregivers.

Native American study participants indicated that a large percentage of the children on

reservations are living in grandparents’ homes. Several of the Native American grandparent

caregivers in our study had been members of support groups in the past, but none were cur-

rently members of support groups. In general, they were open to the idea of support groups, if

offered at a convenient location. They expressed isolation and the feeling that they were the only

ones raising grandchildren. Their vision of the ideal support group closely mirrored that of other

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cultural/ethnic groups, with special emphasis on these issues:

Ê The need for transportation — those living on reservations live in very rural areas and

must travel significant distances to reach a community meeting place such as a church or

community/tribal facility

Ê The need for childcare while they attend meetings

Ê Phone or Internet support group meetings were attractive to some, but many do not

have telephones; there was disparity among participants in this regard

Ê Most would like to see a Native American lead the support groups, or someone who is

familiar with their culture

Outreach

While a few of the Native American grandparent caregivers participating in our focus groups

lived in an urban area, most lived on reservations and reported that they are not aware of

resources in their villages for grandparents raising grandchildren. They also complained that

their villages are geographically spread out, making it all the more difficult to provide resources

and outreach through one central location. Nevertheless, Native American grandparents rec-

ommended a number of outreach methods, including:

Ê U.S. mail (they indicated this is the best way to reach them)

Ê Local newspapers

Ê Information at local post offices

Ê Information at the gas station and/or grocery store on the reservation

Ê Announcements at tribal functions or church services

Ê Information through Head Start or their grandchildren’s schools

Types of Information Needed

Native American grandparent caregivers indicated interest in the same general issue areas

as grandparent caregivers in other cultural/ethnic groups, although they don’t often seek such

information. Most seemed unaware that they or their grandchildren might qualify for public

benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). They are concerned about

what benefits they are eligible for, as well as education information, and discussion included the

need for higher education for their grandchildren so they can support themselves in the future.

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Findings from the study indicate that grandparents raising grandchildren are in dire need of

support services. Many are unaware of the services or programs that are presently available in

their communities. They report that information about these services and programs in general is

often very difficult to obtain. Many grandparents do not know such programs exist, and there-

fore do not look for them. Other grandparents frequently find themselves contacting one agency

after another in their quest for information, or to secure services or assistance — an over-

whelming endeavor that is frequently unsuccessful.

There is a general consensus among these grandparents that “the system” works against

them and their grandchildren. Laws, policies or regulations often make it very difficult for grand-

parents to obtain needed services and financial assistance for their grandchildren. Grandparents

find their situation extremely stressful at times, and express myriad needs that the collective

efforts of public and private agencies or organizations have failed to meet adequately.

Grandparent caregivers express the greatest need for the following types of information:

Ê Legal options — this is a high priority issue for these grandparents. They are often in

crisis situations, finding legal assistance too expensive or not available in a timely man-

ner. Pursuing legal options and rights is very frustrating and confusing for grandparent

caregivers.

Ê Financial assistance — the expense associated with raising grandchildren is enormous,

and leaves many grandparents financially strapped. They are often unaware of sources

of financial assistance (including public benefits, scholarships, free or reduced services,

health insurance, housing assistance, etc.).

Ê Support services or programs — grandparents are dedicated to raising their grandchil-

dren well, and seek programs to help them, as well as additional supports for them-

selves. Many are unaware that there may be financial assistance for these programs and

services. Many of the services desired by grandparents are outside the realm of sup-

port groups. For some grandparents (particularly nonmembers) these services are far

more desirable than a support group. The following are services/programs that grand-

parents desire:

o One-to-one counseling — Many grandchildren and grandparents face deep psy-

chological and emotional challenges due to their family situations, addictions or

mental illnesses. Grandchildren often feel abandoned by their parents. Both grand-

parents and grandchildren often feel resentment and anger about their situations.

Conclusions and Recommendations

48

Limited finances and/or insurance coverage often preclude them from seeking

therapy or counseling.

o Respite care — Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren are often physi-

cally and emotionally drained. This is particularly true of grandparents who work

outside the home and/or those without a spouse to help shoulder some of the re-

sponsibilities. A respite program that would give grandparents a much-needed break

for an evening or even the weekend has enormous appeal.

o Mentoring — Grandparents raising grandchildren often feel they are alone in this

endeavor, and have no one to turn to with their problems or questions. For some,

participating in a support group alleviates some of these feelings. However, many

grandparents feel the need for an individual mentor - an ally or advocate who will

provide personal emotional support and help them navigate the various systems

they must face. Mentoring is also desired for the grandchildren in these families.

These grandchildren are often without the benefit of a strong relationship with one

or both of their parents. The presence of another caring adult in their lives is often

helpful.

o Planned activities or programs for grandchildren — Current support groups pro-

vide these to some degree, although there is clearly a need for more child-oriented

services and programs, particularly for teenagers. Types of programs that would

have the greatest appeal from grandparents’ perspectives include: recreational and

social activities such as picnics, movies, and day trips to amusement parks, beaches,

rodeos, etc; after-school programs that include tutoring or homework help; and

support groups for teens. Many grandparents believe their grandchildren are em-

barrassed by their atypical family situations, and feel alienated from their peers.

They believe a support group of children in similar situations will provide an impor-

tant emotional benefit for their grandchildren.

Support Groups

Support groups are an excellent outreach mechanism to deliver key information to grand-

parents, as well as to provide emotional support. While many support groups face financial

challenges and difficulties recruiting members, the majority of support groups that responded to

our survey (68%) have been established within the last five years. This indicates the growth of

support groups as a more recent trend.

Many of the support groups surveyed reported that they provide a wide array of services,

49

including information and referral services (91%), childcare during support group meetings (60%),

and legal advice (32%). These services were all highly desired by grandparents in our focus

groups, however many of them indicated these were not readily available. This indicates that

support group outreach efforts are not reaching the intended target audience.

Grandparent caregivers often do not use support programs and services. This is generally

because they do not know that they exist, or they do not know whom to contact. Many grand-

parents who do not participate in support groups see potential merit, yet assume none are

offered in their community. Minority grandparent caregivers are even more likely to be unaware

of existing supports in their communities. Spanish-speaking Hispanic grandparents and Native

American grandparents are the most likely to be unaware of support currently available to

them.

Many grandparents who participated in our focus groups complained of no support groups

in their particular community. Yet, a knowledgeable search for grandparent support groups

would have yielded numerous support groups in most of the sites where focus groups were

held. This further indicates that outreach efforts are generally inadequate given the large num-

bers of grandparents raising grandchildren.

A majority of the support groups surveyed (84%) use various forms of mass media for

promotion and recruitment — primarily print media. Only 39% of grandparent support groups

reported using radio as a means of outreach, and only 35% reported using television. These

two formats were most often mentioned in our focus groups as good approaches to reaching

the grandparents. There may be various reasons these two most effective formats are used on

a limited basis, including expense and unavailability.

Support Group Benefits

Members of grandparent support groups generally report that the following key benefits

are equally important:

Ê Practical information and guidance — Members can receive crucial information

about the wide range of issues and challenges they face, including legal, financial, health,

housing, education and respite care services. Support group leaders/facilitators, guest

speakers and fellow members often provide information and referral to pertinent laws,

policies, programs, agencies and other resources.

Ê Emotional and psychological support — Members have the opportunity to talk

through their problems in a nonjudgmental, empathetic environment. Social isolation is

alleviated, and members gain perspective and coping strategies from their fellow grand-

parent caregivers. Support groups validate the importance of the personal needs of

these grandparents and provide positive reinforcement.

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Grandparent caregivers who are not members of support groups have varying perspec-

tives about support groups. Most do not know support groups exist. Some are interested in

joining a support group, in part, to reap the emotional benefits that current members find so

important. However, for some nonmembers, these benefits are not sufficient impetus to join a

support group. Some nonmembers view a support group as little more than an opportunity to

complain. These grandparents have little interest in rehashing their story, and believe participat-

ing in support groups would be depressing and counterproductive. Many of these grandparents

showed interest, however, when support groups were described as a forum for gaining useful

information.

Views Shared by Both Support Group Members and Nonmembers

Ê Opinions vary about the leadership of support groups. Many prefer a peer who has

experienced many of the challenges they face. Others prefer a professional leader/

facilitator. Both Native Americans and Hispanics express a preference for a leader

from the same cultural/ethnic background, or someone who understands their culture.

Ê Logistical issues are often a barrier to support group attendance, including transporta-

tion, meeting times, and location.

Ê Guest speakers are a highly desirable mode of providing information at support group

meetings. However, obtaining speakers may be a time-consuming and difficult task for

busy grandparents who are not familiar with the organizations, agencies and individuals

who can be helpful.

Ê While many grandparents may be hesitant to share personal stories with a group, mi-

nority grandparents are more often apprehensive about discussing sensitive family is-

sues.

Ê Hispanic and African American grandparents in the focus groups most frequently made

statements referring to the importance of their religious beliefs and support of their faith

communities in coping with their family situations.

General Recommendations

Ê Major national, state and local outreach campaigns are needed to educate grandparent

caregivers about existing resources available to them. Outreach efforts must be specifi-

cally targeted for the various populations. Information must be given at a level that is

easy to comprehend by all grandparents, regardless of age, preferred language or edu-

cation background.

51

Ê Particular attention should be given to minority grandparent caregivers. While outreach

is needed for all minority populations, special emphasis on Spanish-speaking grandpar-

ents and Native American grandparents is important, due to the enormous lack of ser-

vices available to them.

Ê Faith-based organizations and schools should be considered as key partners in out-

reach efforts to grandparent caregivers, in particular for minority grandparents.

Ê National, state and local organizations should educate grandparent caregivers about

the benefits of support groups and existing services/resources. Education should in-

clude an emphasis on both the emotional function of support groups and the function of

a support group as a key information source.

Ê Pertinent information should be made available to all grandparent caregivers, regard-

less of income or geographic location. These services must be easy to access and must

provide information quickly to grandparents who are in a crisis situation. Programs that

should be increased include:

o Support groups (with a particular focus on rural areas);

o State and local level information, referral and assistance services, including Web

sites, ‘hotlines,’ ‘warmlines,’ Web sites or ‘navigation’ programs (currently there

are few state-level services of this sort; Ohio and New Jersey have exemplary

programs, and replication should be considered in other states);

o Comprehensive central resource centers (or “one-stop shopping” centers) that en-

able grandparents to access supports, services and benefits in one location.

Recommendations for Local Support Groups

Outreach, Promotion, and Member Recruitment

Ê Design support groups that satisfy both the emotional needs and the more practical

information needs of grandparent caregivers. Recruitment of prospective members must

emphasize this dual agenda and communicate the groups’ goals clearly.

Ê Use mass media communication such as TV and radio to increase awareness of sup-

port groups whenever possible, including advertisements, public service announcements

and news reports. In certain communities, an emphasis on stations that target Spanish-

speaking Hispanics would be most effective.

52

Ê Increase outreach to minority populations, carefully targeting messages to consider the

issues important to these grandparents.

Structure

Ê Partner with a local community, social service or faith-based organization. This can

provide access to a professional facilitator, a meeting place, additional services for

members, outreach mechanisms, and, perhaps, long-term stability for the support group.

Ê Develop a leadership structure within the support group that will preclude the dissolu-

tion of the group if a sponsoring agency should withdraw support.

Ê Determine if a professional or a grandparent (peer) facilitator or leader is most effec-

tive. A team leadership approach (a professional and a peer) may be beneficial.

Ê Create satellite offices or meeting locations. This will benefit grandparents in rural ar-

eas, and is particularly important for Native American grandparents on reservations.

Ê Provide free or reduced transportation, or offer such a service for a limited time.

Ê Offer a choice of meeting times, such as days, evenings, and weekends; consider rotat-

ing meeting times so more grandparents can attend.

Ê Consider offering conference call capabilities during a meeting so that members who

cannot attend in person can stay at home or be in a convenient location and still attend.

If appropriate, consider support group meetings in which all members are on a confer-

ence call.

Ê Invite local guest speakers with expertise about topics requested by members or rec-

ommended by resource groups. Provide time for grandparents to ask questions and

dialogue with the experts.

Ê Survey members periodically to identify their key concerns or information needs. Re-

sults should subsequently be used in planning future meetings, i.e., to determine discus-

sion topics and guest speakers.

53

Ê Consider segmenting support groups by the age of grandchildren so that members can

relate their common experiences and challenges.

Ê Consider creating two types of support groups or alternate approaches at various meet-

ings: a casual format in which discussion is spontaneous, or a more informational or

instructional meeting approach. Grandparents could attend both types of meetings or

choose which format is most useful for them.

Services

Ê Provide services and programs for grandchildren, including:

o on-site childcare or support groups for grandchildren during group meetings or

functions;

o informal respite care among members, or arrange with an agency to provide a

formal respite care program;

o tutoring or mentoring for grandchildren, through the support group or through a

partnership with local organizations that offer these programs.

Ê Honor and pamper members periodically with celebrations, special outings and respite.

Ê Consider providing one-to-one or family counseling through a sponsoring agency or a

partnership organization. If this is not possible, consider bringing in a counselor to do

mental health screening periodically.

Ê Provide a Web site with meeting times, contact information, announcements about spe-

cial activities and links to resources.

Ê Provide telephone information assistance from paid staff or volunteers; offer this ser-

vice during specified hours if necessary.

Ê Create a mentoring program that matches grandparents one-to-one with individuals

who have experience overcoming the issues they are currently facing.

Ê Provide members with a schedule of meeting topics so they can plan their attendance if

they have limited time to attend meetings.

54

55

American Humane Association Children’s Services on behalf of Casey Family Programs,

Casey Native American Child Welfare Needs Assessment Project: Final Report, March

2001

Bahr, Kathleen. “The Strengths of Apache Grandmothers: Observations on Commitment,

Culture and Caretaking,” Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Summer 1994

Burnette, Denise. “Custodial Grandparents in Latino Families: Patterns of Service Use and

Predictors of Unmet Needs,” Social Work, January 1999

Cox, Carole, ed. To Grandmother’s House We Go and Stay: Perspectives on Custodial

Grandparents, Springer Publishing Co., New York, NY (2000)

Heywood, Elizabeth. “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: An Exploration of their Parenting

Stress and Perceived Social Support,” dissertation, University of Virginia, 2001

Minkler, M. & Roe, K. Grandmothers as Caregivers: Raising Children of the Crack

Cocaine Epidemic, Sage Publications, Newbury Park, CA (1993)

Minkler, M. & Roe, K. “Grandparents as Surrogate Parents,” Generations, Spring 1996

Minkler, M. and Fuller-Thompson, E. “African American Grandparents Raising Grandchil-

dren,” Health & Social Work, May 2000

Pinson-Millburn, N. & Fabian, E. “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,” Journal of Coun-

seling & Development, Jul/Aug 1996

Red Horse, J., Martinez, C. et al. Family Preservation: Concepts in American Indian

Communities, National Indian Children’s Alliance, December 2000

Szinovacz, Maximiliane, ed. Handbook on Grandparenthood, Greenwood Press,

Westport, CT (1998)

Bibliography

56

57

Appendices

Appendix 1

Census Data Tables

Table 1: Grandparents Responsible for Most of the Basic Needs of Grandchildren

Living in the Same Household

Table 2: Census 2000 and Census 1990: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-

Headed Households

Listed by State

Table 3: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

States Ranked by Percentage Change from 1990 to 2000

Table 4: Census 2000: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

States Ranked by Percentage of Children

Table 5: Census 2000: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households

States Ranked by Number of Grandchildren in Grandparent-Headed

Households

Grandparents Responsible for Most of the Basic Needs of Grandchildren

Living in the Same Household

Source: Census 2000 Demographic Profile

2 (DP-2)

Compiled by Ken Bryson, U.S. Census

Bureau kenneth.r.bryson@census.gov

Table 1

Census 2000 and Census 1990: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-

Headed Households: Listed by State

Table 2

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 1990

Census and 2000 Census SF1 100% Data *GPHH=Grandparent-Headed Households

Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed Households: States

Ranked by Percentage Change 1990 to 2000

Table 3

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 1990 Census

and 2000 Census SF1 100% Data *GPHH=Grandparent-Headed Households

Census 2000: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed House-

holds: States Ranked by Percentage of Children

Table 4

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census SF1 100% Data

Census 2000: Children under 18 Living in Grandparent-Headed

Households: States Ranked by Number of Grandchildren in Grandparent-

Headed Households

Table 5

Source: U.S. Census 2000 Census SF1 100% Data

Appendix 2

Program Profiles

The following programs are examples of the one-stop shopping, central resource center

discussed in this report. These programs demonstrate that centralized resource centers can

best be established through collaboration with several agencies or organizations and funding

from a variety of sources.

Programs and Support Groups for Grandparents Raising

Grandchildren Program Profile

Program Name: Kinship and Adoption Resource and Education (K.A.R.E)

Year Established: Feb. 2002

Contact Person: Laurie Melrood Contact Title: Director

Address: 4710 E. 29th St. Bldg. 7

City: Tucson State: AZ Zip code: 85711

Phone: (520) 323-4476 Fax: (520) 323-9830

Email: lmelrod@arizonaschildren.org Web site: www.arizonaschildren.org

Program or Support Group Scope: Local

Purpose: A multiservice “one-stop shop serving Tucson and Pima County Arizona serving

relatives and adoptive families, to enhance family stability, promote family strengths and

prevent placement in the child welfare system.”

Population(s) Served: Informal and formal caregivers in metropolitan Tucson, with services

offered in English and Spanish.

Program Partners, Collaborators or Alliances: Arizona Children’s Association (statewide

child welfare organization) and Casey Family Programs, Tucson office, partnering with Pima

Council on Aging; the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Grandparents Raising

Grandchildren, Southern Arizona Coalition; and the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Detailed Description of Program, Support Group or Services Provided (If you are describing

a support group(s) please be sure to indicate whether the support groups are led by profession-

als (ie., social workers, clinicians, etc.), members of the clergy, or grandparents who are raising

grandchildren who have been trained to lead the groups):

We have eight professional staff, two students, 50 volunteers, including many caregivers.

bilingual, bicultural staff. Our program offers:

Ê Five support groups*

Ê Legal information clinic staffed by volunteer attorneys

Ê Guardianship clinic *

Ê Benefits clinic (TANF, Title XlX)*

Ê Library for caregivers*

Ê Case management*

Ê Recreation and wellness for caregivers and youth, including summer camp, counsel-

ing for families*

*These services offered in English and Spanish.

Significant Achievements: We served 750 new families in 2002; 800 new families from

January to August 2003.

Ê Diverse client base

Ê Workshops for Child Welfare League of America and the Children’s Defense Fund at

their national conferences

Ê Seen as model for state of Arizona-contacts with other cities

Ê Source of referral for consultation on start up

Ê Excellent working relationship with schools, courts and protective services

Ê Mental health curriculum for community providers

Challenges: Expanding outreach to rural/ tribal areas, increasing our visibility in communities

of color, maintaining long-term sources of funding.

Funding Sources: Two federal grants, one from the US Department of Health and Human

Services and another from Older Americans Act Family Caregivers Program; supplementary

grants from Brookdale Foundation (RAPP), seven other foundations and individual donors.

Programs and Support Groups for Grandparents Raising

Grandchildren Program Profile

Program Name: Project Healthy Grandparents

Year Established: 1995

Contact Person: Judy Perdue Contact Title: Manager

Address: Georgia State University

University Plaza

City: Atlanta State: GA Zip code: 30303-3083

Phone: 404-651-0341 Fax: 404-651-0342

Email: jperdue@gsu.edu Web site: www.gsu.edu/~wwwalh

Program or Support Group Scope: Local

Purpose: The goal of Project Healthy Grandparents (PHG) is to enhance the physical and

emotional well-being of intergenerational families. The project provides comprehensive,

interdisciplinary services to grandparents raising their grandchildren. Sponsored by Georgia

State University, Project Healthy Grandparents integrates community service, teaching, and

research.

Population(s) Served: Grandparents raising one or more grandchildren 16 years of age or

younger in a home where both parents are absent. The family must reside in Atlanta, GA,

South Fulton or Dekalb County.

Program Partners, Collaborators or Alliances: AARP, Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Big Brothers

Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, Capitol City Opera Com-

pany, City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Communities in Schools, DeKalb County Depart-

ment of Family & Children’s Services, Fairburn Town Homes, Family Links, Fulton County

Department of Family & Children’s Services, Fulton County Juvenile Court, Georgia Depart-

ment of Human Resources, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Grady Child and Adoles-

cent Psychiatric Clinic, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, Marcus Institute, National Center on Grandpar-

ents Raising Grandchildren, New Piney Grove Baptist Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Detailed Description of Program, Support Group or Services Provided (If you are describing

a support group(s) please be sure to indicate whether the support groups are led by profession-

als (i.e. social workers, clinicians, etc.), members of the clergy, or grandparents who are raising

grandchildren who have been trained to lead the groups):

Project Healthy Grandparents provides grandparent-headed families with health care services,

social work case management services, parenting classes, grandparent support group

meetings, legal service referrals, and tutoring and mentoring for the children. The program

integrates the university’s mission of service, research, and teaching by providing critical

support services to these families, allowing at-risk children to remain in their biological fami-

lies. All PHG services are provided free of charge to families for one year, and transportation

is offered to monthly meetings and social events. After the one-year intensive involvement,

grandparents are encouraged to continue attending group activities and meeting informally

with their peers.

Project Healthy Grandparents assesses the unique situation of each family and works with the

grandparent to devise a plan for facing challenges. To meet families’ medical needs, regis-

tered nurses conduct monthly home visits, performing health assessments for grandparents,

as well as screening the children for developmental delays. To enhance family stability, social

workers provide parenting information, family counseling, consultation on benefits such as

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and referrals to local agencies. The focus of these

referrals is oftentimes on better housing and legal assistance.

Significant Achievements: To date, Project Healthy Grandparents has served 380 families,

serving over 900 children. Recognizing the importance of PHG services, the Georgia Depart-

ment of Human Resources has funded three Georgia replication sites. They are located at the

University of Georgia (Athens), Valdosta State University (Valdosta), and the Medical College

of Georgia (Augusta). In addition, PHG is now being replicated on a national level. The first

two national replication sites are located at University of Maryland-Baltimore (Baltimore, MD),

and Winston-Salem State University (Winston-Salem, NC).

Challenges: As is the case with many nonprofits, sustaining long-term diversified funding

base.

Funding Sources: Freddie Mac Foundation, McKesson Foundation, Robert and Polly Dunn

Foundation, Rich Foundation, William F. Shallenberger Trust Fund, United Way, Community

Foundation, Goizueta Foundation, Hasbro Children’s Foundation, Georgia Health Foundation,

Williams Foundation, and Harland Foundation.

The power to make it better.™

www.AARP.org

September 2003

D18036 (1103)