providing effective services to grandparent-headed families in the united states
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Providing Effective Services to Grandparent-Headed Families in the United States. October 17, 2013 Dr. Andrea B. Smith Western Michigan University. Foster Care and Kinship Care in the U.S. Foster Care and Kinship (Relative) Care are not the same Foster Care is a formalized relationship - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
PROVIDING EFFECTIVE SERVICES TO GRANDPARENT-HEADED FAMILIES IN THE UNITED STATES
October 17, 2013Dr. Andrea B. SmithWestern Michigan University
Foster Care and Kinship Care in the U.S.• Foster Care and Kinship (Relative) Care are not the same
• Foster Care is a formalized relationship• Foster Care services are administered by each state• Legal steps are taken to place and/or keep children in a foster care
setting after the courts have determined that the child’s home environment is unsafe
• Kinship Care may be a formal or an informal relationship
• The informal/formal nature of the relationship may change over time
Foster Care and Kinship Care in the U.S.
• Foster Care is intended to be a temporary situation
• Despite improved care, many children still stay too long in the foster care system and are often moved among various settings
• 408,425 children were placed foster care settings (foster family homes, group homes, child care institutions) during Fiscal Year 2010 (Adoption and Foster Care Reporting and Analysis System (AFCRAS)
• This number represents a 26% decrease since 2000 (AFCRAS)
Foster Care and Kinship Care in the U.S
2008 Legislation—Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (P.L. 110-151) is intended to “achieve better outcomes for children who are at risk of entering or have spent time in foster care”.•Improves educational and health care services for children and youth in foster care settings
•Extends federal support for youth to age 21 (can lead to increased educational/vocational options)
Kinship Care Families in the United States• Kinship Care families fall into two general categories:
• Multi-generational households contain at least 3 generations (grandparent, adult child, grandchildren• These households are often formed for financial reasons but
also may arise due to divorce, adolescent parents, or a general desire of the grandparent to be of assistance to the family
• Top reasons cited in 2010 were:• unemployment/under employment• health care costs • home foreclosure
Kinship Care/Grandparent-Headed Families in the United States
• Skipped Generation Families include only grandparents and grandchildren residing in the same household• These families often arise due to:• Parental substance abuse issues• Divorce or relationship break-up• Incarceration• Mental illness• Physical illness• Death of a parent• Military deployment• Neglect/abuse
ParentalApprentice
Substantial Support
ParentalReplacement
LessInvolved
MoreInvolved
Formation of the Grandparent-Grandchild Family Structure
Formation of the Grandparent-Grandchild Family Structure
The majority of grandparent-headed families fall within the Parental Apprentice or Substantial Support Categories
Parental Replacement is less common and typically occurs only after an extended period of time
Kinship Care Families in the United States• 2010 Census Data show that 7.8 million children lived in a
home headed by a grandparent or other relative • 2.7 million (about 4% of all American children) are being raised in
grandparent or other relative-headed families• Children living in kinship care homes comprise about 25% of all
children in the formalized foster care system• For every one child in foster care, 25 children are being raised in a
kinship care home that falls outside the formalized foster care system
• Grandparents, as opposed to other relatives, are overwhelmingly the main kinship care providers
Grandparent Headed Families in the United States
• 60% of grandparents raising grandchildren are employed outside the home
• 21% of custodial grandparents live below the federal poverty level
• 67% are under the age of 60. • Median age ranges from 54-57 years
Grandparent-Headed Families in the United States
• Numbers of Grandparent-Headed Families Vary by Ethnicity
• There are more White Grandparent-Headed Families but proportionally children of color are more likely to live in a kinship care home• White: 51%• African American: 24%• Hispanic/Latino: 18.7%• Asian: 2.9%• American Indian/Alaskan Native: 2%• Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian: 0.3%
Length of Time Caring for Grandchildren
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
5 or moreyears
3 to 4years
1 to 2years
6 to 11months
less than 6months
Challenges for Grandparents
• Lifestyle changes• Medical care• Lack of support• Negative feelings• Family dynamics• Employment issues• Conflicting roles• Financial Issues• School routines
• Housing• Changes in parenting practices
• Nutrition• Transportation• Loss of grandparent role
• Relationship to adult child
Strengths
• Grandchildren are safe and nurtured• Family history• Intact sibling groups intact• Feeling needed and useful• Increased energy• Circumventing the court system• Provision of second chance• Love
Children in Grandparent-Headed Families• 1 of 7 children living in a grandparent-headed home has a
documented disability, compared to 1 of 16 in parent maintained homes
• Approximately 34% of children in grandparent-headed homes are living with a caregiver who does not have a high school diploma, compared to 12% of children living in a parent-maintained home• This correlates with data showing that children living in poor
families are more likely to have parents/caregivers with lower levels of education
Children in Grandparent-Headed Homes• Research shows that children living in custodial
grandparent homes have increased levels of emotional and behavioral problems• Boys are more likely than girls to be recognized for emotional
issues. Behaviors frequently include misconduct and acting out physically toward others.
• Girls more frequently internalize emotional issues. Anxiety and depression are common.
Teens in Grandparent-Headed Homes
• 42% of children in grandparent-headed families are between the ages of 12-17
• Teens in the care of grandparents have increased academic, social and behavioral problems when compared to other teens• Aging grandparents often struggle with monitoring teens’ activities
and setting and maintaining appropriate limits• Adolescents are struggling to establish their own identities;
parental absence may be keenly felt during this time and may lead to a variety of emotional and/or behavioral challenges
Young Children in Grandparent-Headed Homes• Young children (ages 2-6) often have difficulties in forming
attachments, have low self-esteem, poor socialization skills and may have physical, cognitive or emotional impairments (Smith & Dannison, 2008)
• This may result from prenatal exposure to drugs and/or alcohol, from inconsistent and often chaotic early home environments, or from lack of exposure to a variety of stimulating early interactions
Emotional Themes in Children Living in Grandparent-Headed Homes• Common emotional themes are seen in children of all
ages who live in grandparent-headed homes. These include:• Grief• Fear• Guilt• Embarrassment• Anger
Grief and Loss• Loss of a parent• Loss of a grandparent• Additional losses may include:
• Loss of home• Loss of friends• Loss of school environment• Loss of routine
Fear• Inconsistency in early environment• Basic needs unmet• Inappropriate attachments• Lack of structure and predictability throughout life• Issues with trust• Difficulties with separation• Often need for individual attention
Guilt• Internalize parents’ desertion• Sense of betrayal• Low self-worth• Familiarity with failure/children may “give up”• Feelings of responsibility• May lead to difficulties (ie: indebtedness, anger,
indifference)in relationship with grandparent
Embarrassment• Sensitivity about living situation• “Generation Gap” issues• Unrealistic hopes for parental return• Low self esteem• Testing and acting out behaviors in home, school and
other social settings• Children may work hard to “fit in”
Anger• No control over circumstances• Feelings of unworthiness• Many targets• Unpredictable episodes or episodes tied to specific
triggers
Programming for Grandparent-Headed Families in the U.S.• Great variety exists related to programs and services for
grandparent-headed family members• These programs/services often vary in content, format,
intensity, and duration• Geographic and ethnic diversity within the U.S. means
that there is no “one size fits all approach”• Extremely important to recognize differences between
communities and to build on existing programs and resources
Programming for Grandparent-Headed Families in the U.S.• Highlight four diverse programs serving Grandparent-
Headed Families• Second Time Around: Services for Grandparents and
Grandchildren, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI• Project Healthy Grandparents—Georgia State University, Atlanta
GA• Relatives as Parents—Cornell University Cooperative Extension,
Albany NY• Kinship Care Program—Jewish Board of Child and Family
Services, Brooklyn NY
• Respite• Parenting Skills and Knowledge• Community Connections• Support• Advocacy• Evaluation
Second Time Around: Meeting the Needs of Custodial Grandparents
• Funding obtained/budget• Open houses/personal contact• Location, dates, times• Services offered• Marketing and recruitment• Transportation• Child Care• Incentives
Second Time Around: Building a Grandparent Program
• Adult Education content• Relevant topics• Personal Sharing• Selected Activities• Guest Speakers• Information on available services/resources• Food/incentives
Organizing Support Groups
• Someone with whom the group identifies• Must be heavily invested• Resolves group behaviors• Flexible• Builds positive relationships• Co-facilitators helpful
Second Time Around: Lessons Learned About Facilitators
Session Topics:– Understanding Your “Not So New” Role– Promoting Personal Well Being– Refining Parenting Skills– Building Relationships– Working With School and Community– Managing Finances– Navigating the Legal System– Looking to the Future
Second Time Around: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Second Time Around: Grand Ideas for Grand Kids
• Structured play interactions• Modeling social skills• One-on-one attention (adult/child ratio)• Physical proximity• Immediate and consistent feedback• Small group size• Routine• Exposure to developmentally appropriate activities
Second Time Around: Grand Ideas for Grand Kids--Session Topics• Enhancing Self Esteem• Appreciating Family Diversity• Enhancing Friendships• Appropriately Recognizing and Expressing Feelings:
• Grief, fear, guilt, embarrassment, anger
PROGRAM MODEL FOR GRANDPARENT RESOURCES SITES
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5 Continuation of services and evaluation
Required Activities
Program Choices
Grandparent Resource Site Locations
Kalamazoo, MI
Kendallville, IN
Detroit Lakes, MN
Mansfield, OH
Washington, DC
Winchester, TN
Ocala, FL
Nice, CA
Flagstaff, AZ
• Rural site—conservation “Bible-Belt” location• Housed in adult education center• Large group (40-50 members)/strong cohesion• Members frequently drove long distances (30-40 miles) to
attend group sessions• Service oriented
• Scholarships• Food pantry
Campora Family Resource CenterWinchester, TN
• Largest urban extension site in U.S.• No prior history of service provision to kinship care family
members—were quick to recruit and begin services• Located sites convenient to metro-stops• Relationship building—social isolation was common
–Within own group
–External to group (ie: exchange with Philadelphia and
Baltimore groups)• Emphasis on advocacy/connections
University of DC—ExtensionWashington DC
• Located on a rural Native American Indian Reservation/supported in part by on-site casino
• Kinship care is culturally valued• On-site child care center• Challenges with isolation, transportation, finances, and substance abuse
• Focus on respite—infrequent time away• Bingo• Field trips
Robinson RancheriaNice, CA
• 3 county district Human Services site• Largest numbers of kinship care families• Initiated part time employment of grandparent participants
as group leaders/office workers/leadership from within• Initiated annual state-wide conference (2 days) on kinship
care– Nationally recognized speakers– Attended by both professionals and kinship care providers
• Diverse service delivery– Schools– Public libraries
Kids Central, Inc.Ocala, Florida
• Served grandparents/grandchildren in 7 locations within a large, rural area
• Often involved facilitators traveling long distances to run groups
• Worked to offset the challenges of long winters and geographic isolation—grandparents needed connections
• Obtained additional grants to manage
higher costs of food, fuel, and travel
Mahube Community CouncilDetroit Lakes, Minnesota
• Services offered within two adjacent counties• Very diverse grandparent populations• Worked to meet needs of both affluent and low socio-
economic grandparent caregivers• Provided comprehensive trainings for grandparent group
facilitators• Strong emphasis on continuation
groups
University of Arizona—ExtensionFlagstaff, Arizona
• Worked extensively with Advisory Committee to assess community needs and existing services
• Incorporated a Family Law attorney to provide pro bono legal services (identified as a high need area)
• Initiated Spanish-speaking group (Migrant/agricultural workers)
• Implemented in-home services--an
effective service delivery method for
their grandparent population (geographic/linguistic isolation)
Michigan State University-ExtensionKalamazoo, MI
• Partnership between faith community and local school district in rural, NW Indiana
• No prior history of service provision to kinship care family members– Within 3 months, had team established and trained– Offered both Tier 1 and Tier 2 services within the first year of
establishment– Merged with larger, regional group to
continue providing services to kinship care
family members
Northeast IN Grandparents Raising GrandchildrenKendallville, IN
Lessons Learned: Second Time Around Program• Recruiting grandparent participants may be difficult/time
consuming• Using trusted professionals (teachers, day care providers,
nurses, doctors, etc.) to help recruit participants is helpful• Think through details that will make it easy for
grandparents and grandchildren to attend sessions (transportation, child care, meals, location, timing)
• Provide opportunities for grandparents to connect with one another and to share their stories
Lessons Learned: Second Time Around Program• Build structure and consistency into each group session• Provide time to provide grandparents with feedback about
the grandchildren’s session(s)• If appropriate, provide grandparents with resources
(books, art materials, play materials/toys) to extend activities introduced in grandchildren’s groups
• Provide positive feedback to grandparents. Acknowledge the important role they are playing in their grandchild(ren)’s live(s).
Project Healthy Grandparent—Atlanta, GA
• Affirm family and cultural strengths,
• Enhance personal competencies through knowledge building and skill development,
• Provide concrete supports as needed (food, clothing, furniture, toys, etc.),
• Help families make necessary social connections,
• Identify and use community resources to meet family needs,
• Establish an evaluation strategy to inform practice.
PROJECT HEALTHY GRANDPARENTS
Goal -Empowerment
“… the process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or political power so that individuals, families and communities can take action to improve their situation.”
(L. Gutierrez, 1994, pg. 202)
PHG: Family Characteristics
Total Participants› Grandparents served: 900+ › Grandchildren served: 1,800
Race: African American (99%)
Average age of grandparents: 54 years; (Range: 33-77 years)
Average number of grandchildren per family: 2.5; (Range 1- 8)
PHG: SERVICE STRUCTURE
Social Work & Nursing Case Management› Individualized support›Acknowledge personal strengths ›Home-based option
Support Group Meetings›Emphasize problem solving skills›Mutual aid and self-help›Provides setting for practicing new ›behaviors
Parenting classes› Learn new parenting skills
› Introduce new community resources
› Emphasize positive functioning within family systems
Legal Referrals› Facilitate development of legal relationships
with grandchildren
› Establish permanency planning
PHG: SERVICE STRUCTURE
Other Services/Activities
Transportation
Material Aid
Clothing
School Supplies
Furniture
Toys
Early Intervention Services
Relatives as Parents Program• Dual services to Grandparents and Grandchildren in a
rural area of New York State• Grandparents initially attend informational group meetings
—number of sessions varies according to topic area• Topics are varied, including:
• Getting Ready for the Teen Years (for grandparents of children ages 9-14)
• Strengthening Families—A Joint Program for Grandparents and Grandchildren ages 10-14 years
• They’re Back—or They Never Left (for grandparents of children ages 17 and older)
Relatives as Parents Program• Grandchildren (ages 9-17) are involved as members of
their local 4H Club• Grandparents can participate in many of the family based
activities• 4H started as an agriculturally-based organization but has
expanded to include fine arts (music, dance, drawing, drama, etc.) as well as skills including cooking, photography, woodworking etc.)
Local 4H Activities
Local 4H Activities
Relatives as Parents Program• Grandchildren (ages 9-17) are involved as members of
their local 4H Club
Relatives as Caregivers Program• Grandchildren are also involved through the “School
Engagement Program”• Focus in on helping grandchildren set goals for school
achievement and on providing support to assist in achieving these goals
• Grandchildren are assisted in recognizing that they are responsible for making changes related to academic work
• Goals are reasonable and appropriate for each child
Kinship Care Program--JBCFS• Programming focuses on meeting the needs of
approximately 78,000 children in the care of relatives in New York City
• Focus is on promoting family stability through• Emotional support• Case management• Advocacy• Financial information
•
Kinship Care Program--JBCFS• All services are provided at no cost to participants• Services are delivered are several local community
centers • In-home services are also available• Phone information is available during office hours• Referrals are made to link grandparents to existing
services• Attention to paid to providing culturally-sensitive services
(especially important due to the ethnic diversity present in NYC)• Support Groups and Phone Information Services are available in
both Spanish and English
Kinship Care Program--JBCFS
Specific services offered include:•Case management for financial and medical needs•Weekly support groups for caregivers and youth in care•Short-term parent and youth counseling•Parent education•Educational advocacy and activities supporting school engagement•Referral for legal assistance for permanency planning•Informational forums for caregivers and youth in care•Training for professionals
Kinship Care Program--JBCFS
• Case management for:• • Weekly support groups for caregivers and youth in care• • Short-term parent and youth counseling• • Parent education• • Educational advocacy and activities supporting school
engagement• • Referral for legal assistance for permanency planning• • Informational forums for caregivers and youth in care• • Training for professionals
Conclusions• There is no one “best” way to provide services to kinship
care family members• Know your population/culture• Be aware of other existing services• Work closely with an advisory group• Assess/evaluate services frequently• Look to grandparents for leadership• Embrace flexibility
Bibliography• American Bar Association/Kinship Care Legal Research Center, 2010• AARP. Accessed at aarp.org/relationships/grandparenting/info-12-2010.• Brookdale Foundation Grandfacts. Accessed at
ww.brookdalefoundation.org/rapp/GrandFacts.• Dannison, L. & Smith, A. (2003). Lessons learned from a custodial grandparent
community support program. Children and Schools, 25(2), 87-95.• Federal Poverty Guidelines, 2013. Accessed at https://www.federalregister.gov.• Hayslip, B & Kaminski, P. (2005) "Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren: A
Review of the Literature and Suggestions for Practice," The Gerontologist 45(2), 262-69.
• Pew Research Center, "The Return of the Multigenerational Family Household" (March 2010), accessed at www.pewsocialtrends.org/2010/03/18/the-return-of-the-multi-generational-family-household
• Pittman, L. (2007) "Grandmothers' Involvement Among Young Adolescents Growing Up in Poverty," Journal of Research on Adolescence 17(1), 89-116.
• Pittman, L. & Boswell, M. (2007) "The Role of Grandmothers in the Lives of Preschoolers Growing Up in Urban Poverty," Applied Developmental Science 11(1), 20-42.
Bibliography• Population Reference Bureau. Accessed at
www.prb.org/Articles/2012/US.children.grandparents• Smith, A., Dannison, L. & James, M. (2012). Resiliency and custodial grandparents:
Recognizing and supporting strengths. In Hayslip, B. & Smith, G. (Eds.) Resilient grandparent caregivers: A strengths perspective. New York: Routledge.
• Smith, A. & Dannison, L. (2008). Preschool children and caregiving grandparents: Enhancing family strengths. In Hayslip, B. & Kaminski, T. (Eds), Parenting the custodial grandchild: Implications for clinical practice. New York: Springer, 237-250.
• Smith, A. & Dannison, L. (2003). Grandparent-headed families in the United States: Programming to meet unique needs. Intergenerational Programming Quarterly,1(3), 35-47.
• Smith, A., Dannison, L. & Vacha-Haase, T. (1999). When “Grandma” is “Mom”: What today’s teachers need to know. Childhood Education, 75, 12-16.
• Smith, G. & Palmieri, P. (2007) "Risk of Psychological Difficulties Among Children Raised by Custodial Grandparents," Psychiatric Services 58(7) 1303–10.
• U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2010 1-Year Estimates: table S1001 and 2005: table B10001, accessed at http://factfinder2.census.gov, on March 7, 2012.