raising grandchildren
january 2015
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Rewards and Challenges of Parenting the Second Time Around
When parents are absent or unable to raise their children, grandparents are often the ones who step in. Raising a second generation brings many rewards, including the fulfillment of giving your grandkids a sense of security, developing a deeper relationship, and keeping the family together. It also comes with many challenges. No matter how much you love your grandkids, taking them into your home requires major adjustments. But with the right guidelines and support, you can roll back the years and make a real difference in the lives of your grandchildren. Full article below.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/grandparenting/grandparents-as-parents.htm
community resources
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Support Circles are anonymous, confidential self-help groups offering weekly or bi-weekly meetings and other activities organized by trained volunteer facilitators. GRG Support Circles help grandparents and others raising a family member’s child learn positive parenting by providing them with a safe atmosphere in which to share their stories and stresses, learn new skills, receive emotional support and discover services and resources. The Circles strengthen the first link in a chain that connects positive caregiving with healthy children, and help healthy families build strong communities.
In Prince George,
- Kikino Metis Services Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Spirit of the Grandmothers. Kikino Metis Children & Family Services Society. Grand parenting support group for grandparents who are raising and/or the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Assistance with negotiating MCFD and Income Assistance bureaucracies, one-on-one support and group support. No cost. Every other Tue 10:30am-12pm Contact Dawn Murphy at 250-563-1661 executive.director@kikino.ca www.kikino.ca
- Support Circle at Hadih House (2105 Pine st) Childcare and a snack are available Meet other Grandparents who want to be a part of a support network for each other. This group would like to have an emphasis on socializing and building and sharing resources for grandparents bringing up their grandchildren. Tel: 250 563 7976 or email: hadihhouse@gmail.comPlease call to inquire about the time and day group runs.
Aboriginal Women Rights on Reserve 2014
common questions for B.C. residents
I am a grandparent raising my grandchild. What are my rights and what kind of benefits can I receive?
- In most cases your grandchild may come into your care through an agreement (informal or court ordered) between you and the childís parent(s) or between you and the Ministry of Children and Family Development (who may have removed the child due to a child protection concern). The resources below explain your rights and the benefits you may be able to receive.
- Benefits for grandparents and other relatives raising children, from the Legal Services Society, is a brief fact sheet that describes how grandparents (or other relatives) who are raising a relative's child may be able to get government benefits. This describes the kinds of benefits they might get and under what conditions, as well as links to other sites that explain how and where to apply for these benefits.
- The Extended Family Program, from the Ministry for Children and Families, describes services and financial supports if you are taking care of your grandchild.
- Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Resource Booklet, from the Parent Support Services Society of BC, is a detailed resource guide that lists resources and services available to support grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Legal Guide, from the†Parent Support Services Society of BC, is a detailed guide that provides legal information and resources for grandparents raising grandchildren. There are sections on child protection, custody and guardianship, access and safety, adoption, financial assistance and benefits, getting legal help, and using the courts. The New Family Law Act and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is a supplement to the guide that provides important information about the Family Law Act changes that occurred in 2013.For more information, contact the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Line.
grandparents raising grandchildren support line
This toll-free line assists grandparents and other relatives raising a family member's child to navigate complex services systems such as MCFD; to find the answers, assistance and resources they need to prevent or solve problems; and to learn about benefits and services that will support the whole family.
The GRG Support line is staffed by two part-time advocates with training in advocacy, social work, family law, and government services pertaining to kinship caregiving. The GRG Support line is open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM. †At all other times callers are encouraged to leave a voicemail message or send an e-mail, which will be returned promptly.
GRG Support Line Contacts:
- By phone toll-free province-wide: 1-855-474-9777
- GRGline@parentsupportbc.ca.he GRG Support Line poster.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Advocacy
Grandparents raising grandchildren (GRG) face an number of barriers. Financial barriers they face are exacerbated by policy such as inadequate kinship care benefits and the loss of CPP Disability Benefits upon turning 65.
We encourage advocacy in these areas. For more information check out the documents below.
http://www.parentsupportbc.ca/grg/advocacy/kinship-care-benefits-letter-to-mlas-2014.pdf An example of a letter regarding kinship care benefits.
http://www.parentsupportbc.ca/grg/advocacy/kinship-care-fact-sheet-draft-2-mar-2013.pdf Information sheet on kinship care benefits.
http://www.parentsupportbc.ca/grg/advocacy/cpp-disability-inequity-2014.pdf Information sheet on CPP Disability.
Legal Seminars for Kinship Care Providers - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Parent Support Services Society of BC has developed informative, interactive, legal information seminars that will outline Kinship Care facts and options, relevant legislation, government and community resources, benefits and services available for grandparents and other relatives raising family members. For more information call 604-669-1616 (toll free 1-877-345-9777) or email office@parentsupportbc.ca .
Supportive Sites: forums, facebook, news articles and tips
- http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Grandparents-Raising-Children/forum
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grandparents-Raising-Grandchildren/159724844105830?sk=timeline
- http://thetyee.ca/News/2011/02/03/GrandparentsRaisingKids/
- http://sixtyandme.com/6-important-principles-for-grandparents-raising-grandchildren/
- http://www.cangrands.com
- http://www.helpguide.org/articles/grandparenting/grandparents-as-parents.htm
- http://www.empoweringparents.com/raising-grandkids.php
- http://urbanext.illinois.edu/grandparents/archive.cfm
linda campbell
student support services
school counsellor
grandparents raising grandchildrenEmail: lcampbell@sd57.bc.ca
Twitter: @weaselwe