Grandparents Raising Grandchildr

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

FADD House has grandparents raising grandchildren meetings every fourth Thursday of each month. For exact dates and times see the events page!

Know Your Legal Rights

Have you adopted the grandchild you are raising? Or become that child's legal guardian? If not, you may not have "legal status." Without this status, you may have more problems making decisions and getting help for the child.

Do you want to change your legal relationship with a grandchild? Depending on where you live, you have several options:

1. Adoption

Adoption takes away ALL of the rights and responsibilities of a birth parent. When a grandparent adopts, he or she becomes the child's parent. This makes it easier for the grandparent to get services for the child. Plus, your adopted child could qualify for a federal subsidy program.

2. Guardianship

A guardian can access services on behalf of a child. Guardianship doesn't take away the rights of a birth parent. That parent can still ask a court to end the guardianship. Some states have "permanent guardianships." These are harder to end. Most states have cash subsidy with legal guardians. A dew programs will give financial help even if the child was not in foster care.

3. Legal Custody

Legal custody is similar to guardianship. However, a "guardian" may have more rights than a "legal custodian." Check out your state's law to be sure.

4. De Facto Custodian

"De facto custodians" are people who live with and support a child for a certain period of time-from six months to a year. If you are a de facto custodian, some states will give you the same legal standing as the child's parents in custody cases decided in court.

Remember, laws in each state are different. Learn more about the laws in your particular state before you decide anything. The information provided here is for general guidance only and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with legal or other competent advisers.

Source: AARP The GIC Voice: Fall 2006

NY State Kinship Navigator Program Launched!

With the launch of the New York State Kinship Navigator program on January 1, 2007, grandparents raising grandchildren and other kin caregivers in New York State now have access to a single, comprehensive resource for caregiving. Funded by the New York State Office of Children and Families Services, the program offers caregivers support and guidance through a toll-free phone line, 1-877-4KinInfo (or 1-877-454-6463), and the web site www.nysnavigator.org. The program is adding new features every month to the site. Susan Antos, Esq., an expert on public assistance, is now authoring "The Fair Hearing Corner", a section on the site offering information on how to obtain day care, financial assistance and many other public benefits from local social services departments. Organizations are encouraged to spread the word about the launch of the Navigator program to caregivers and other professionals throughout the state. Organizations also have the opportunity to be listed as resources on the Kinship Navigator web site. If you have suggestions for resource listings or any other comments, please contact Gerard Wallace at gwallace@cfcrochester.org.

(Source: NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children)