1. Direct Practice with Children and Families – Parenting Grandchildren
The development of this learning module was made possible through a Gero Innovations Grant from the CSWE Gero-Ed Center’s Master’s Advanced Curriculum (MAC) Project and the
John A. Hartford Foundation.
Direct Practice with
Children and Families –
Parenting Grandchildren
Funded by Master’s Advanced Curriculum Project Grant
University of Texas at Arlington

2. Definition of the Issue
Issue: Grandparents parenting grandchildren
Defined: Grandparents who provide regular care to grandchildren either formally (court orders, personal decision) or informally (grandchild lives with the grandparent or spends a regular portion of his day with the grandparent) (Jendrek, 1994).
Jendrek, M. P. (1994). Grandparents who parent their grandchildren: Circumstances and decisions. The Gerontologist, 34 (2),

3. Grandparents raising Grandchildren - National Data
More than 6 million children are being raised by grandparents or other relatives; 2.5 million children are in households without parents present
2.4 million grandparents report being responsible for grandchildren
71% grandparents are under age 60
19% grandparents live in poverty
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000.
These data are taken from the U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000.

4. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren -National Data by Race
47% grandparents are White
29% grandparents are African-American
17% grandparents are Hispanic/Latino
3% grandparents are Asian
2% grandparents are American Indian or Alaskan Native
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000
These data are taken from the U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000.

5. Grandparents raising Grandchildren - Texas Data
448,439 children live in grandparent-headed households (7.6% of all children in the state)
Of these, 244,100 are living with grandparent or other relative without either parent present
257,074 grandparents report being responsible for their grandchildren living with them
25,347 in Houston
15,075 in San Antonio
15,019 in Dallas
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000
Texas: A State Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children, October Retrieved from
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000
Texas: A State Fact Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children, October

6. Grandparents raising Grandchildren Texas Data by Race
42% grandparents are Hispanic/Latino
35% grandparents are White
21% grandparents are African American
1% grandparents are Asian
74% grandparents are under the age of 60
21% grandparents live in poverty
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000

7. Circumstances Leading to Parenting Grandchildren
Substance abuse
Teenage pregnancy
Death of parent
Divorce
Unemployment

8. Circumstances Leading to Parenting Grandchildren
Neglect
Incarceration
Child abuse
Illness and disease: HIV/AIDS, disability

9. Challenges and Concerns
Employment and Childcare
Legal
Financial
Health
Housing
Children with Special Needs

10. Consequences Social and Lifestyle Changes Disruptive family life
Poverty
Health
Depression
Physical health
Legal Ambiguity

11. Class Discussion Examples View and discuss film, Big Mama
Case studies to discuss concerns of parenting grandchildren and the roles of the social worker

12. Roles of Social Worker Assessment
Use a life-span developmental perspective
Assessment content:
mental health: grief, stress, depression
physical health
assessing home and ability to care for child(ren)
social contacts and isolation
financial

13. Roles of Social Worker Advocacy Education Time management Child care
Child rearing

14. Roles of the Social Worker
Support
Local support group
Counseling
Case management

15. References AARP. (October 2008). Fact Sheet- Texas.
Jendrek, M. P. (1993). Grandparents who parent their grandchildren: Effects on lifestyle. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 55,
Jendrek, M. P. (1994). Grandparents who parent their grandchildren: Circumstances and decisions. The Gerontologist, 34(2),
Karp, N. (1996). Legal problems of grandparents and other kinship caregivers. Generations, 20(1),
Minkler, M., & Roe, K. M. (1996). Grandparents as surrogate parents. Generations, 20(1),

16. References
Murphy, S. Y., Hunter, A. G., & Johnson, D. J. (2008). Transforming caregiving: African American custodial grandmothers and the child welfare system. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 35(2),
Pruchno, R. A., & Johnson, K.W. (1996). Research on grandparenting: Review of current studies and future needs. Generations, 20,
Thomas, J. L., Sperry, L., & Yarbrough, M. S. (2000). Grandparents as parents: Research findings and policy recommendations. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 31(1), 3-22.
U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile Selected Social Characteristics: 2000.