As the program coordinator of the Kinship Care Resource Center through the School of Social Work at Michigan State University (www.kinship.msu.edu), I was truly inspired by these words because of the importance of the family and its ability to affect the foundation of any community and the future of a child.

As I write this and future articles for baby boomer grandparents, who are raising their grandchildren, I hope to provide you with (1) information about resources and services to help you succeed in providing your grandchildren a safe and happy environment in which to grow, (2) legal options for child custody arrangements, (3) resources to address social and mental issues affecting baby boomer grandparents and their grandchildren, and (4) guidance in how you can become an effective advocate for policies and legislation of benefit to all grandparents who have committed to their grandchildren’s health and happiness.

In our country today, millions of grandparents, other relatives, and friends of the family step in to offer kinship care for children when biological parents are unable to fulfill their responsibilities. Kinship care can be defined as the provision of full time nurturing and protection of children by adults other than parents who have a family relationship bond with the children (Child Welfare League of America, 1994). Many “baby boomers” who once dreamed of having a quiet transition into retirement or having more time for spouses, vacation, and learning new hobbies find themselves becoming parents a second time around to young children. The majority of relative caregivers for children are grandparents and although many would prefer to spend time spoiling their grandchildren and sending them home with gifts, becoming surrogate parents for them during a family crisis is an obligation that many accept and honor.

According to the 2000 US Census Statistics
Nationally:
• 4.5 million children are living in grandparent-headed households
• 1.5 million children in the United States are living in households headed by other relatives

For statistics in your state please visit the Brookdale Foundation at:
http://www.grandfactsheets.org/state_fact_sheets.cfm

There are many different factors that may affect a parents’ inability to care for their children. However, a safe kinship care placement with a grandparent or other extended family members and friends can provide permanency and stability for children in need. Extended family members can help keep siblings together, allow children to continue living within familiar cultural practices, and can help them create new traditions, goals, and values. Grandparents and other kinship caregivers for children save state and federal departments millions of dollars by preventing children from entering institutional placements such as foster care. However, they receive very little financial assistance and services and have many needs.

At the Kinship Care Resource Center through the School of Social Work at Michigan State University we applaud the efforts of grandparent caregivers for children and other extended family members and friends who assume parental roles for vulnerable children in need. As a non-profit program the center strives to provide referrals for resources and information for kinship caregivers for children and social service professionals.

The following websites below provide nationwide information about resources and programs for grandparent caregivers for children and other extended family members and friends. 

AARP
http://www.aarp.org/about_aarp/aarp_foundation/
http://www.aarp.org/community/search.bt?query=grandfamilies

The Brookdale Foundation
http://www.brookdalefoundation.org/

Generations United
http://www.gu.org
http://www.gu.org/Defin8191322.asp

Ama Agyemang can be contacted at 1-800-535-1218 or by email at kinship@msu.edu.