Building Healthy Family Relationships: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Presenters: Danneley Duval Kortnie Harris Ashley James Sophie Namugenyi Emily Osteen Ebony Reid

Background Information Group 2 Chapter 12: Healthy Family Relationships Lessons: One & Two Target Audience: Grandparents, ages 35 and older Location: Local Church

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Part One: Grandparents as Caregivers Part Two: Overcoming Stressors Part Three: Building Healthy Relationships with Grandchildren

Part One: Grandparents as Caregivers Grandparent or Parent?

Accepting the New Role Number of grandparents raising grandchildren has increased in the past twenty years Part-time or Full-time Commitment  Incarceration  Child Abuse or Neglect  Mental Disorders  Increasing Number of Single Parents

Accepting the New Role (cont.)  Divorce  Teenage Pregnancies  Substance Abuse  Illness  Abandonment or Desertion  Disability or Death

Changes in Family Structure Grandparent may find it difficult to adjust to new lifestyle and responsibilities  Underestimate role  Generational gap  Emotional burden  Financial stressors Usually find more grandmothers accepting role as primary caregiver

Video: Doubly Stressed…Triply Blessed

Part Two: Overcoming Stressors What are some of the possibilities grandparents may have to overcome?

Unanswered Questions May threaten the overall health of the family  Financial Stressors  Legal Arrangements  Health Issues  Educational Needs  Supportive Services

Financial Stress 54% of all grandchildren are raised by grandparents whose incomes are below federal poverty level  Unaware of the government assistance resources available to them and how to access them  May exhaust retirement funds in an effort to care for their grandchildren

Financial Relief Government assistance resources:  Food Stamps  Social Security Benefits  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)  The Special Supplemental Food Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC)  Medicaid

Taking a Closer Look at the Stats

Choosing a Legal Arrangement Many grandparents do not have a legal relationship with their grandchildren Many grandparents do not understand the advantages/disadvantages of each legal option

Legal Arrangement Options Guardianship Relative Foster Care Legal Custody Adoption

Part Three: Building Healthy Family Relationships with Grandchild What are the next steps to ensuring my grandchild’s success?

Meeting the Necessary Needs Basic Needs Develop Social Skills Emotional Needs  Love  Security  Support  Self-Esteem  Self-Efficacy

Traits of a Healthy Family Affirmation Trust Commitment Quality Time Communication Respect Solving Problems Love

Instilling Values, Culture, and Tradition Help grandchild to develop:  Ethnic Identity  Pride  Sense of Belonging

Identifying Your Strength Areas Strength Area Very Strong Some Growth Needed Much Growth Needed Acceptance of Responsibility Commitment to Family Open Communication Successful Home Management Care of Self Maintain Rituals and Traditions Maintain Relationships With Nonresidential Parent Positive Outlook

Review Grandparents as Caregivers Overcoming Stressors Building Healthy Relationships with Grandchildren