Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program

Starting a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren

Selecting a meeting site

Churches, schools, banks, social service agencies, hospitals, libraries, YMCA, YWCA,...

NOTE: Keep in mind that some grandparents are reluctant to attend meetings at "social service agencies" so you may wish to hold meetings at a "neutral" facility.

Consider the following when selecting a meeting site...

• Is there a separate and safe area for the children to meet/play?
• Is the facility on a bus route?
• Are there kitchen facilities for meal/snack preparation or to accommodate food deliveries?
• Is the area private?
• Is the area handicapped accessible?

Identifying grandparents who are raising grandchildren

Outreach efforts should attempt to identify grandparents through a number of sources...

• Public/private schools/school boards/PTAs
• Pre-schools and day-care programs
• Pediatrician and dentist offices
• Local public health departments and clinics
• After school programs
• Community centers
• Church bulletins
• Grocery stores
• Banks
• Social service agencies
• Hospitals
• Libraries
• Senior centers
• United Way
• Police departments
• Lawyers
• Newspaper articles announcing the group and highlighting the issues of grandparents raising grandchildren

Marketing the support group

Five easy steps...

1. Develop a one-paragraph, easy to read summary describing your group and how it will benefit grandparents and grandchildren.



2. Develop a flyer announcing the group, meeting date, time, location, child care, contact person, phone number.

   Post this in grocery stores, drug stores, banks, child care facilities, libraries, hospitals, church bulletins, senior or community centers, doctors’ offices, health clinics, Head Start programs, social service agencies, local Department of Human Services, Public Aid, and DCFS offices, social service or counseling agencies; request it be sent home with school children or in school newsletters.




3. You may want to have a "kick off" event in collaboration with an agency, hospital, library, or school on an issue relevant to grandparents raising grandchildren.

   For example: An evening or lunch hour presentation by an attorney discussing guardianship or custody issues. Supply the support group with information and have grandparents "sign in" at the session




4. Contact a local newspaper reporter and ask them to write an article on grandparents raising grandchildren; mention the support group.



5. Contact local TV and radio stations regarding public service announcements and talk shows.

Contact

For more information on starting a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group, contact the Senior HelpLine.

For more information on the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program, see the Web page.