If you are raising a grandchild or another relative’s child you are not alone.
Across the United States, almost 7.8 million children are living in homes where grandparents or other relatives are the heads of households. More than 5.8 million children are living in grandparents’ homes.More than 2.5 million of these grandparents are taking on sole responsibility for these children. In Kentucky, 55,000 children are in the care of their grandparents.
The needs of children can seem overwhelming, especially if you are unexpectedly thrust into the role of being their primary caregiver. Often caregivers are the children they are raising feel isolated. They lack information about the range of support services, resources, programs, benefits, laws and policies available to help them successfully fulfill their caregiving obligations.
The Bluegrass Regional Grandparents As Parents Coalition will hold its 14th annual conference Thursday, March 10. Deadline for registration is March 3. The event will take place at the Clarion Hotel, 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington. The agenda includes nine workshops with a discipline, school success, youth depression, tax benefits and navigating the guardianship legal path.
In addition to the workshops, attendees can preregister for free legal consultation provided by local attorneys. In addition, there will be options for individual benefits consults with corresponding agency representatives. The conference also includes all materials, a resource fair and lunch.
The registration fee is $5 for grandparents/relative caregivers and $50 for professionals. Contact the Fayette County Extension Office, 859-257-5582 or visit Gapofky.org for registration and program information.
