|
| |
|
Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren |
|
According
to AARP the majority of grandparents raising grandchildren range
in age from 55-64, with a median age of 57; 23% are over the age
of 65. There are married couples as well as single
grandparents.
More
than 6 million children are being raised by grandparents or
other family members other than parents according to 2000 Census
information-- this is a figure that rose 30% since 1990.
These children are in all socioeconomic levels and
locations. They represent over 8% of all children under
the age of 18-- eight times more than those in the foster care
system.
|
 |
|
 |
For over 1.5
million children in the United States, no parent is present in the
home.
Why are so many
children being raised by grandparents? Generally there is a
triggering event such as substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, death of a parent,
child abuse and neglect, teen pregnancy, unemployment, incarceration,
divorce, mental health crisis, family violence, or poverty.
|
|
How does this issue
affect students at school? In some cases, grandparents may have
a difficult time enrolling their grandchildren in school because they
don't have legal custody or guardianship. Families face legal,
financial, and health/insurance problems that can affect the health of
students and their ability to learn and participate fully in school
functions.
The Family Services
staff at Head Start is aware of many of the issues facing grandparents
who are raising their grandchildren and can direct them to resources
that may be helpful in dealing with many of the unique challenges they
are facing. We have had many children enrolled in our program
who have been living with relatives and we strive to be very
supportive and considerate of the needs and situation of each family.
If your family, or
someone you know needs more information on available support and
information for grandparents raising grandchildren, please contact our
office at 233-6606, or speak with your family services staff worker.
|
|
|
Click
here to visit the AARP website for more information that
supports grandparents raising grandchildren |
|
|
Click
here for the Idaho State Fact Sheet for Grandparents and other
Relatives Raising Grandchildren |
|
|
Click
here for the publication "Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren: A Call To Action" published by the
Administration for Children and Families, Region IV |
|
The publications offered
here in .pdf format can be viewed with Adobe reader. If you do not
have this free program installed on your computer it can be downloaded
at no cost by clicking
here.
|
|
