Grandmother to Grandmother: New York to Tanzania Brookdale RAPP Conference Denver, CO April 29, 2011

2 AARP Grandparents as Global Safety Net Traditional role of grandparents to provide care in many cultures Traditional family structures disrupted; grandparents as primary caregivers As traditional role evolves Difficult Burden Overwhelming Threatens survival

3 AARP Family Crisis or Chronic Problems Substance abuse HIV/AIDS Armed conflict; military deployment Financial hardships, poverty, recession Work – unemployment; education; labor force migration Non-intact families; single parents; divorce Mental health Incarceration Teen pregnancy Child abuse and neglect Family violence  Primary reasons vary across the globe

4 AARP Challenges and Needs Financial Legal Work Housing & Safety Physical Health Mental Health

5 AARP Challenges and Needs Education, Childcare & Special Needs Family Relationships Who will care for elders Support Navigation to Information, Services and Resources

6 AARP A Global Issue U.S. – Over 4.5 million children in grandparents’ home; 1 in 10 children; largest number white; higher % of African American and Hispanic; grandparents organizing Europe - lack of data; recent poll 29% of grandparents lived with grandchild in UK; UK research suggests grandparents most likely to provide kinship care Canada – 62,500 children raised by kin; few supports; CanGrands

7 AARP Global Grandparents Raising Grandchildren China – rural labor force migration; missing generation Viet Nam – HIV/AIDS primary problem and terrible stigma; support programs; vision East Africa – over 12 million children orphaned due to AIDS Australia – grandparent networks and support groups; public benefits

8 AARP Grandmothers to Grandmother Women are disproportionately affected in both developed and developing countries Cultural expectations Major sacrifices, including health and economic security/work

9 AARP Effective Collaborative Strategies Systems integration and coalition building – Aging, child welfare, families, human services, education, housing, labor… Private and public partnerships Legislative advocacy Volunteer programs Grassroots grandparents

10 AARP Successful Programs & Resources Financial assistance Support groups & Respite Work, education/training; micro-business Housing for grandfamilies Legal assistance, pro se Health care support Navigation Respite

11 AARP Key Approaches Culturally Appropriate Connect with schools, churches, community centers Key community leaders Grandparents take leadership role Strengths-based

12 AARP How can the nations across the globe work together to help grandfamilies? There is hope for all generations when we work together to strengthen families

13 AARP Highlights from Grandmother to Grandmother: New York to Tanzania