Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren initiative in San Diego provides education, support, and resources for the growing number of grandparents and other relative caregivers who are raising children. In the San Diego region, approximately 21,000 – 24,000 grandparents have primary responsibility for the welfare of their grandchildren. Many of these older adults are challenged by navigating the complex maze of health, education and social services programs, and the resources to assist them are fragmented and hard to access. In 2011, the Health and Human Services Agency’s Aging & Independence Services joined together with community members, and led efforts to identify needed resources and supports for this population. Their combined efforts resulted in “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” symposiums held at various locations throughout the county, the creation of the “Handbook for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children” and the formation of subcommittees to take ongoing actions to assist grandparents and kinship caregivers in the community.