Kentucky Caregiver Support Program assists grandparents raising children By MONICA REUHLING Grandparents raising grandchildren is a growing trend which affects families of all ethnic, financial and educational backgrounds. It is not something which only affects certain demographic groups. More and more grandparents of all ages are assuming greater day-to-day childcare responsibilities. No longer are grandparents a secondary source for support to children. In many cases, grandparents are the key players in the upbringing of their children’s children. Where are the natural parents in these situations? How do these children come to be raised solely by their grandparents? The responsibility falls to the grandparents often times because of a sudden unfortunate event or set of circumstances, such as the death of a child’s parent. But many times it is because of the natural parents’ inability to care for their children, due to the parents’ substance abuse, abandonment, abuse and/or neglect of the children, incarceration or domestic violence involving the parents. Grandparents raising their grandchildren deserve as many rights and privileges as the natural parents, but unfortunately, this does not happen in every case. These grandparents have taken on tremendous responsibilities, again, for the sake of the child, and often times, find obstacles as they struggle to understand school, court and social systems. Many of these “new families” face economic issues of housing, food, clothing, health care and transportation. Grandparents face their own physical and mental health needs and now those of the children as well. Health and human services systems, schools and guardianship courts are quickly taking notice of “second time parents” or kinship care. Support through family resource centers, community-based services and other agencies can help secure financial and health care means. Groups such as grandparent support groups can rally around a grandparent in this new role to give moral support, respite and guidance. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Division of Aging Services in Frankfort have also taken notice of the grandparents’ plight. Under the direction of Rep. Jimmie Lee, House Bill 380 was enacted by the 2006 General Assembly to create a new statewide program especially for grandparents raising grandchildren. The Kentucky Caregiver Support Program, set to begin in January, allows grandparents of any age to apply for vouchers to purchase much needed supplies and services for their grandchildren. Supplies and services for the grandchildren could include clothing, respite/childcare assistance, educational supplies or assistance, required legal services, medical and dental services and other expenses as authorized by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Through this program, the grandparents may also gain information about other community resources, individual counseling, support groups and training. Eligibility for the new Kentucky Caregiver Support Program will be based on the following criteria: • Grandparents and grandchildren must reside in the state of Kentucky. • Grandparents must be the primary caregiver of grandchild(ren) age 18 or younger. • Grandchild’s parents may not live in the same residence as the grandchilden or grandparent. • Grandparent must be related to grandchild (ren) by blood, through marriage or adoption. • Grandparents must provide income information to verify income is 150 percent of poverty level. • Grandparents cannot receive Kinship Care for the grandchild. Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 2, 2007, on a first-come, first-served basis, throughout the state of Kentucky. The program will be administered by the regional Area Agencies on Aging. Applications for the eight-county Lincoln Trail district will be available at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, 613 College Street Road, Elizabethtown, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekdays. For more information on the new statewide Kentucky Caregiver Support Program, call (270) 769-2393 or (800) 264-0393.
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