Text Box: The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Research Project team sincerely thanks all participants in our discussion forums and survey research. We began in September 2007 with original funding from the Law Foundation of B.C. and with these objectives: To research legal issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren (GRG) To create resource materials specific to GRG issues To promote awareness amongst stakeholders involved with policy, service and program delivery associated with GRG families To help link and connect these families together for mutual support. We facilitated 24 focus groups with 270 grandparents in the Vancouver Island, Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley and the Prince George regions Text Box: to learn the common issues. Sessions were held in Victoria and Vancouver with 40 representatives from child development, education, justice, family support services, legal advocacy, child protection and government policy analysis. Our project team sought to learn more on challenges faced by service providers to GRG. Participants showed genuine support for finding better solutions for GRG families. The following pages will summarize the work to date and highlight our positive steps forward. We trust you will help us spread the good word! Most children suffer deep levels of grief and loss as a result of being separated from their biological parents. Grandparents are securing their safety, permanency and connections to extended family. The emotional, physical and financial challenges that go along with this commitment are complex, making community awareness and advocacy a priority. Text Box: Greetings from the Project Team!!

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Legal Research Project
Text Box: September 2008 Text Box: Issue 1 - Part I Author/Designer: Alvina Snell Editor: Carol Ross

Part I:

Drafting Legal         Resource Materials!

2

‘Twas a Very

Grand Gathering

2

Recognition from Members of the

Legislature

3

What Grandparents Told Us….

4

What Stakeholders Told Us….

4

Part II:

Dynamic Duo -

on “The Daily”

5

A Family’s Loss - 

on “Surrey Leader”

5

GRG:  Some of the Myths/Realities

6

Wanted:  MLA

Participation

7

Special Announcements

(Co-Chairs)

7

Wanted:  Grandkid Creativity

8
Text Box: ‘Twas a Very Grand Gathering

See Part II to learn how your grandchild can be included in our resource materials
Text Box: Drafting Legal Resource Materials! Text Box: Our Legal Researcher, Kristen Holten, has been busy during this summer, drafting the legal resource materials. The material is first reviewed and edited by project team members providing legal, family and social justice expertise. Text Box: The next step will be a review by an external team of legal experts. A team of grandparents will also provide their feedback on the usefulness of the materials. By mid-fall, we intend to hand it over to the visual layout designers and publisher for print! Text Box: The project team sincerely appreciates the time and commitment these teams are providing towards the development of these materials. Many thanks go to Kristen as well for her valuable contributions to this project. Text Box: The Legal Research Project presented the data gathered to date and received the “thumbs up” from grandparents on identifying key issues. Program Managers, Wayne Matheson and Michele Haddon, part of a consultation team evaluating Ministry of Children & Family Development kinship agreements listened as grandparents gave a very clear message on the Text Box: changes needed to meet their needs adequately. An additional session was held between the MCFD team and grandparents in Victoria June 24, 2008. The MCFD team was well received, and we thank them for their face-to-face contact with grandparents. Parent Support Services plans to repeat Grandgatherings in other parts of the Province in future. Text Box: Parent Support Services of B.C. and the University of Victoria, School of Social Work hosted their 2008 Grandgathering event in Parksville, B.C., May 3rd. More than 80 grandparents attended, with 50 of their grandchildren! The day included workshops tailored to grandparents raising grandchildren. Text Box: Page 2 Text Box: Issue 1 Text Box: with contributions from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance, have contributed a total of $75,000 toward the research project, which is scheduled to be completed in December.” Katrine Conroy (NDP/ MLA for West Kootenay-Boundary) equally acknowledged the complexities these families face surrounding access to childcare, information and services. Members were reminded of her requests last year for more support towards these issues. Ms. Conroy emphasized the parent-equivalent responsibilities many grandparents face, while on fixed incomes. A reception followed where grandparents, Government Ministers and other MLAs could meet and share stories. Grandfather Jim spoke movingly about the challenges GRG families face and shared his own experience. This was the Text Box: On May 12th, 2008, eighteen grandparents attended with our project team to the Legislature, to hear Katherine Whittred (Liberal MLA of North Vancouver-Lonsdale) speak about the importance of this project’s initiatives: “Over the past several years I have worked closely to support the grandparents group and their partners to help them achieve their objectives. In my statement last year I made several recommendations. One of those focused on raising awareness about the role of grandparents who become full-time caregivers of their grandchildren. It was my goal to help to put this issue on the radar screen. To that end, I have one very positive outcome to talk about, and this is the funding for a legal research project. The Ministry of Children and Family Development, together Text Box: first time in his granddaughter’s 4 yrs of life, that he and his partner, Bev were separated from her overnight. He talked about the separation anxiety these grandchildren often experience. Overnight can feel unbearable to them. Jim and Bev found it equally difficult to be away from her, but were very committed to travel to this event to advocate on behalf of all grandparents in this Province facing such huge responsibilities with so little support or recognition. Project Team Honourary Grandparent, Roz, along with Barbara Whittington, presented some myths and stigmas grandparents face, given the lack of awareness that exists amongst those who do not understand the demands required to provide their grandchild(ren)’s full-time care. Roz’ grandson is autistic. He is one of many grandchildren with mild to severe disabilities, special needs, emotional and behavioural challenges being raised by their grandparents. Special thanks go to Ms. Whittred, whose support will be sadly missed upon her retirement as MLA.. We trust the support and awareness of all MLA’s will continue to grow for this important cause. Text Box: Page 3 Text Box: Issue 1

You can watch Ms. Whittred from the “Gallery” at the Legislature too!

Go to:  www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/8-8.htm#

Scroll down to: “Monday, May 12, 2008, Morning”,   select “House Video”
Text Box: Recognition from Members of the Legislature Text Box: Therapy and counselling for the grief, loss and attachment anxiety children often experience when separated from their parents Information on child protection agreements like: Restricted Foster Care, Supervision Orders, Kith and Kin Agreements, Interim/Temporary/Voluntary agreements Increases to the Child in the Home of a Relative subsidy Cooperative partnerships with GRG families Text Box: What Grandparents Told Us… Text Box: What Stakeholders Told Us… Text Box: Through our travels and surveys we discovered devoted, resourceful, savvy leaders ready to face the challenges before them— no matter how complex. More than 110 grandparents have provided survey data, and we hope for many more before the process ends on September 30, 2008. Personal contact information remains anonymous. The published data will be the collective facts on grandparents’ realities. This will allow grandparents themselves to see their place Text Box: in the bigger picture and the public to learn common themes expressed: Limited access to legal, financial resources and advocacy Fear and vulnerability within the “system” of child care policies, service providers and legal authorities Parent-equivalency is needed to access usual services associated with raising children, particularly those with special needs (e.g. respite and daycare) Text Box: Participants were very receptive to learn the objectives of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Research Project. All were eager to contribute in more promotion and efforts to find better solutions. Many admitted that rather than waiting for legislative and policy reforms, which could take a very long time, much more work could be done together to improve best practices and outcomes at ground-level. Suggestions included: Building on partnerships with GRG project initiatives Ministries and agencies obtaining and distributing resource materials to provide Text Box: consistency for GRG families More consultation and promotion about GRG within their professional circles That the Legal Research Project recommend dedicated GRG crisis lines, navigators and legal advocates Building stronger relationships, both on and off reserve with our aboriginal families and Elders Streamlining /improving communications between grandparents and social workers Creating materials that assist any grandparents with visual, hearing, literacy and language barriers Text Box: In June 2008, we met with representatives in child protection, social work, law, education, health care, child development, First Nations and Métis family support , policy analysis, legal advocacy, family justice, mediation, and literacy. Participants mirrored the concerns raised by grandparents. Many experience limitations in accessing services for their GRG clients. All agreed, grandparents need more support. Many felt without legislation and policies that recognize the increasing numbers of children raised by grandparents, children are put at further risk. Text Box: Page 4 Text Box: Issue 1 Text Box: Be sure to check out Part II of our on-line Newsletter to learn more on the importance of further participation needed with grandparents and MLAs. Plus, read on to find out how your grandkids can participate and win a special prize!

Dynamic Duo -

on “The Daily”

5

A Family’s Loss - 

on “Surrey Leader”

5

GRG:  Some of the Myths/Realities

6

Wanted:  MLA

Participation

7

Special Announcements

(Co-Chairs)

7

Wanted:  Grandkid Creativity

8