I met a grandfather the other day, the courtesy driver for the car dealership servicing my car. He had no other passengers so we chatted while he drove me back to my office. I was interested to hear about how he and his wife, both over 60, are raising three teenagers. These children were born to his wife's daughter from an earlier marriage whose parental rights were terminated because of neglect.
Mostly, I was impressed by what an active life this family leads. All of the kids are in sports and other extra-curricular activities. All are doing well in school and have college plans. He has a 5th wheel trailer that he bought for the express purpose of making sure the family has affordable housing when they are traveling to accommodate the many activities in which these children participate . . . and also camping, etc.
I marveled at his descriptions of their family life and wondered about how many other children are being raised by grandparents.
Online, I found interesting information--but better yet, incredible resources for people walking in the shoes of these grandparents. According to data from the U.S. Census Department and other studies:
Across the United States, more than 6 million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents and other relatives; 2.5 million children are in these households without any parents present. As the children's parents struggle with substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration, economic hardship, divorce, domestic violence, and other challenges, these caregivers provide a vital safety net to children inside and outside of the foster care system. But they do not have to do this alone. Most states, recognizing the invaluable services of family members raising children not their own, offer resources for grandparents and other relatives raising children. Generally, these sources may be found under the title of "kinship care."
The Children--It's amazing how many children reside in kinship care (statistics from 2006-2007):
- Nationally, 4.5 million children are living in grandparent-headed households (6.3% of all children under age 18). This represents a 30% increase from 1990 to 2000.
- There are another 1.5 million children in the United States who are living in households headed by other relatives (2.1% of all children under 18).
- In Michigan, there are 143,523 children living in grandparent-headed households (5.5 % of all children in the state). There are another 40,098 children living in households headed by other relatives (1.5 % of all children in the state). Of the children living in households headed by grandparents or other relatives in Michigan, 71,200 are living there without either parent present.
- In Michigan, 70,044 grandparents report they are responsible for their grandchildren living with them [17,086 in Detroit]: 36% of these grandparents are African American; 4% are Hispanic/Latino; 1% are Asian; and 55% are White. 33% of these grand-parents live in households without the children’s parents present. 73% are under the age of 60;14% live in poverty.
Mind-boggling, isn't it? Where's the help coming from?
In NW Michigan, see Kinship Care here for information and contact information.
For other counties in Michigan offering support and resources for grandparents and other relatives providing care for children, see this document.
NOTE: much of the above information comes to us from: The AARP Foundation, The Brookdale Foundation Group, Casey Family Programs, Child Welfare League of America, Children's Defense Fund, and Generations United. These agencies and foundations have partnered to produce fact sheets for grandparents and other relatives raising children that include state-specific data, programs, and public policies. Look for them on the Internet here.
Comments