Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Did you know that … The phenomenon of grandparents becoming their grandchildren's primary caregivers is growing each year. These grandparents and other kin-caregivers such as aunts, uncles or siblings face unique challenges in legal, social, educational, financial and custodial issues.

• 295,000 grandparents in California have direct responsibility for parenting their grandchildren.
• In 1996, over one third of children cared for by grandparents had no health insurance.
• Of the 2.4 million grandparents who were responsible for raising children nationwide, 19% have incomes below the poverty line.
• Close to a third of all grandmother caregivers suffer from depression.

Grandparenting, Kinship Care and A4AA

In 2000, Congress amended the Older Americans Act to include caregivers and established the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). Grandparents and other kin-caregivers who were 60 and over were eligible for services through the NFCSP.

In 2002, Area 4 Agency on Aging (A4AA) allocated NFCSP funds to our first ever kinship provider, the Senior Legal Hotline in Sacramento. The Senior Legal Hotline continues to offer free legal assistance to senior kin-caregivers in Sacramento county.

Additionally, A4AA plays a planning, coordination and educational role through the Second Time Around Planning Committee. Through this committee, A4AA and other community partners sponsored educational workshops, conferences, forums and outreach activities.

Grandparenting Support Groups

Grandparenting Newsletter

Statistics and Research on Grandparenting and Kinship Care

 Census Information

 Administration on Aging

 AARP

 Generations United

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