CALIFORNIA
Grandparents raising grandchildren
You assumed that your days of raising children were over, but a surprise of great consequence awaited with little or no advance notice; having to raise your grandchildren, with one experiencing a severe mental disorder. When parents are rendered unable to care for their children because of incarceration, poverty, substance abuse, or some serious health condition, grand families become primary caregivers; a role in which many, though supportive, are highly unprepared.
Census data indicate about 6 million children in the United States are living in households headed by a grandparent or other relative. An analysis of this emerging trend, especially of those grandparents caring for children with mental health issues, reveals both a crisis of support and an opportunity to serve the unmet needs of these aging caregivers.
From a positive perspective, nurturing grandparents allow children to flourish:
Grand families tend to enable siblings to stay together
Children stay in contact with family members
A reduction in additional traumatic transitions
A reduction in out of home placements
Stability of care
Children tend to thrive when raised by relatives due to knowledge of the environment
On the other hand, the care of young children experiencing mental challenges is particularly intense and physically demanding. Grandparents may experience frustration or shame or guilt about their own child's inability to care for the grandchild. Stress-related conditions such as depression and hypertension are not uncommon. Family relationships can be strained and custody disputes may worsen the situation. In addition, when grandparents assume responsibility for young children, often unexpectedly, they may face increased strain because of low or limited incomes. For example, with 70 percent of grandparents under the age of 60, many are too young to qualify for Medicare, social security, and other public benefits available to seniors.
So, how do we help these heroes of hope? Grand families need time out from the physical, mental and emotional demands of daily care-giving. Respite care provides temporary relief for caregivers from the ongoing responsibility of caring for an individual, children in this case, with special needs. It is important to note that respite care is not child care. Respite care is an opportunity to re-energize and refuel to meet the unrelenting challenges. With quality respite care, the grandparent has time to participate in support groups, obtain services so the family can function effectively, or secure health services that protect their ability to raise special needs children.
In December 2006, Congress passed and the President signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act. It will be up to Congress to provide funding. We simply must engage the participation of grand families in the design and implementation of respite care programs on the state level. Not only should grand families become a targeted group for respite care, but they should also be intricately involved in the development and implementation of this new program. To help strengthen this family unit, we must identify and make readily available a pathway to community support systems for grandfamilies and other caregivers.
Oscar Wright
10 November 2008
http://newsblaze.com/story/20081110152118tsop.nb/topstory.html
