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Grandparents and Relatives as Caregivers
In New Jersey and across the country, many grandparents and relatives are providing care to children who are unable to live with their birth parents. Parenting can be challenging as a lot may have changed since you raised your own child. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Many agencies and organizations can offer you assistance in dealing with problems all caregivers have. Below are just a few links to resources that may be able to assist. Support Groups Below are just a few local support groups for grandparents and kinship caregivers. Call the NJ Self-Help Group Clearinghouse for additional resources in your community. New Jersey Self-Help Group Clearinghouse The clearinghouse is an information service that can provide kinship caregivers with information on local community support groups. Call 1-800-367-6274. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Bergen County) The Family Support Organization of Bergen County, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Monthly Support Group meets every third Thursday, September through June, 10:00-11:30a.m. for mutual support, educational speakers and resources. For more information, including meeting locations, call 201-796-6209 ext. 102. Grandparent Support Group (Camden County) Support Groups held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Audubon, NJ on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Through self-help, people who have in common a similar life situation come together to share feelings, experiences, resources, and networking skills. For more information, call 856-662-2600. Grandparents Support Group (Mercer County only) Support Groups held at the Lawrence Senior Center on the first Thursday of the month. In-Home Consultations provide information, referrals, education and support for each unique family situation. For more information contact: Barbara Stender, Med. Caregiver Support Specialist Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare Phone: 609-396-6788 x 241 E-mail: bstender@gtbhc.org Grandparent Resources and Caregiver Initiative Alliance (GRACIA) – Passaic County GRACIA offers information, referrals and support for grandparents and relatives raising children. Services include referrals for health exam and health counseling by a registered nurse, stress management and health education, counseling for caregivers, group counseling for school-age children and parenting support workshops. For more information, contact 973-942-3630. Grandparents as Parents of Passaic County (GAP) GAP is a network of health and human service professionals, grandparents, agency representatives and elected officials. The purpose of GAP is to identify the needs of non-parental adults raising children, recommend programs, identify public policy issues and recommend legislative changes. Grandparents and other kinship caregivers are encouraged to join GAP so that their concerns and experiences are reflected in GAP’s initiatives. For more information, call the Institute for Creative Aging, William Paterson University at 973-720-3690 or Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County at 973-305-5742. Other Supports and Helpful Links Kinship Navigator Program This program helps kinship caregivers navigate though various government networks to find supports and services such as a help with paying child care, referrals to support groups, help with getting medical coverage, legal services and housing assistance. (This program is administered by the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development and serves children who have not been placed by DYFS.) Family Success Centers Family Success Centers are “one-stop” shops that provide wrap-around resources and supports for families before they find themselves in crisis. These centers are neighborhood-based gathering places where parents and grandparents can find family support. Some of the services include: employment, information and referral, parent education, health care, parent-child activities, home visiting, life skills training, advocacy and housing. Click HERE to find locations in your county for these centers and other programs. Child Behavioral Health Services NJ Helps AARP Grandparent Information Center U.S. Government website: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Generations United Raising Your Grandchildren New Jersey Family Care New Jersey Health Link Legal Services of New Jersey |
