1. GRG’s mission is to provide advocacy, support, and referral to relative care families throughout Brevard County. The Child First Program BREVARD COUNTY CBO 2014-15 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL

2. Over 8,500 children are being raised by relative caregivers living in Brevard County. Over 17 years of experience working with social change and other community organizations, our capacity-building practice has become a next generation organization! Collaborations Stable home to ensure permanent placement with relatives in lieu of foster care. Provide a safety-net of services to ease the transition for both the child and relative caregivers. Address the special needs of caregivers and children in relative care. Goals GRG of Brevard Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County

3. Over 8,500 children are being raised by relative caregivers living in Brevard County. The Child First Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County GRG of Brevard provides assistance to 850 relative caregivers with 2087 children!

4. Mary Ann Sterling* Lou Ann Hawes Terry Casto Grant Writing & Fundraising Jonathan Hawes Bill Hobson David Wright Technical Support Robbie Black Traci Bird New Members Mary Ann Sterling* Pricilla Livingston* Janet Adams Anna Lewis Support Groups Mary Ann Sterling* Pricilla Livingston* Cliff Valentine Lillian Hobson UCF Volunteers Client Services Karen Mills Jonathan Hawes Recreational Activities The Child First Program * GRG of Brevard Employee Mary Ann Sterling* Program Executive Director Pricilla Livingston* – Program Facilitator

5. Over 8,500 children are being raised by relative caregivers living in Brevard County. Services 850 Relative Caregivers (unduplicated) annually Emotional Support & Training - Senior Counseling - Monthly Support Groups (5 locations monthly) - Parenting Classes - TARGET Training (bi-annually) Obtaining Financial Stability - ACCESS Provider – Medicaid, Food Stamps & TANF - Computer Training Classes Children’s Educational Assistance - Back to School Supplies - Tutoring on Saturdays – UCF Referral Assistance for Special Needs - Community Partnerships provide training and access to programs for relative caregivers with special needs children. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County

6. Assistance to Grandparents taking on the new life role as Relative Caregivers GRG of Brevard is there to help every step of the way 1Advocacy&Resources 2 Support Groups & Target Training 3 Legal Assistance & Financial Stability Focused on the power of hopes and aspirations to change the world, and how a community can make those come to life for disadvantaged families.

7. Over 8,500 children are being raised by relative caregivers living in Brevard County. Did YOU know 432 children did not have to enter state foster care last year because of the assistance The Child First Program provided for their caregivers. Did YOU know 432 children did not have to enter state foster care last year because of the assistance The Child First Program provided for their caregivers. GRG of Brevard receives 120 new families per year

8. Legal Assistance Recreation and Respite ACCESS Assistance Training Resources & Referrals Support Groups Advocacy CBO Funding The Child First Program is currently providing services to 2087 children in relative care. Collaborating with other relative caregivers provides a sense of community Parenting classes address the needs of senior relative caregivers. Social activities provide respite care to relative caregivers.

9. Return on Investment = Relative Caregivers save Brevard County taxpayers $40 million per year

10. Success Story

11. Over 8,500 children are being raised by relative caregivers living in Brevard County. Total Assistance (duplicated) Support Groups Intakes Parenting Counseling ACCESS Assistance TARGET Training New Member Intake Holiday Assistance Summer Camp School Supplies Recreational Activities 187647334221312641576231 Outcomes GRG of Brevard Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County  Consistent educational and safe learning environment by preventing the child from entering the foster care system with services to the senior relative caregivers.  Decrease stress and illness by providing counseling services to senior relative care families.  Good nutrition, health and dental care provided by access to community and state resources with the assistance of GRG of Brevard as a service navigator.  Increase opportunities for academic successes of children by providing tutoring, mentoring and recreational activities.  Prevention of child abuse and a stable home environment by providing parenting classes and advocacy at support group meetings.

12. Over 8,500 children are being raised by relative caregivers living in Brevard County. Questions? Thank you for your time and attention! Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County