The Arc of Western Wayne County: Serving people with disabilities

The Take Charge Helpline

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Grandparents and other relatives raising a child when the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to do so is sometimes called Kinship Care. This family form is growing and receiving considerable attention of policy makers, social service providers and researchers. In Michigan over 200,000 children are raised in Kinship Care. They are from all walks of life and all cultural and economic groups. Kinship caregivers range from 30 to 90 years of age. Most have cared for the children 5 years or longer and are raising 1 to 2 children. The average annual income is between $15,000 and $25,000. The majority of kinship caregivers are single women. What most have in common is that they are raising children that most likely, they did not expect to be raising.

Bridging Generations is a support group for Kinship Caregivers that meets every week at The Detroit Area Agency on Aging. The people in this support group are putting all aside so they may do what is best for the children. In this support group Kinship Caregivers will find the support they need to understand their situation, to hear their needs and find hope.

If you would like more information, please call The Detroit Area Agency on Aging at 313-446-4444, or visit them online at www.daaa1a.org/.

Phone code: 3305