Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren, is identifying some trends in what grandparents say they need in terms of support and services. We re looking in the end to turn the data into community action and resources, Jones explains.
Money is exceedingly tight and many are struggling to meet the financial needs of their households.
As grandparents think about the future, they are concerned about their physical ability to take care of their grandchildren as they get older. They would like to use respite care, but availability of providers and program affordability are obstacles. Jones expects that the project s results will confirm these trends. We need valid research that confirms what we knew anecdotally before so we can take it to policy makers, service providers and others in order to make an impact and improve the lives of these grandparents. Child welfare advocates confirm that there are numerous grandparent maintained households in Michigan, but there is little or no descriptive information available about the lives and needs of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.