Join Generations United on December 9th at 3:00 PM Eastern for a virtual release event of our annual State of Grandfamilies report, Reinforcing a Strong Foundation: Equitable Supports for Basic Needs of Grandfamilies. Register Today.
Across the United States, more than 2.6 million children are being raised in grandfamilies (families where children are raised by grandparents, other relatives, and close family friends). This year’s annual State of Grandfamilies report highlights how the systems and services that help U.S. families were not designed for grandfamilies, leaving children and caregivers in these families with inequitable access to key resources to help their families thrive. Attendees will hear directly from caregivers about their families’ strengths and the challenges they face. The event will feature report highlights including updated national and state data on grandfamilies and key recommendations to address inequities and provide critical supports to serve grandfamilies well.
Grandfamilies frequently come together with little to no warning due to a variety of reasons including substance use, incarceration, mental health challenges, parental death, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows when children cannot remain with their parents, they do better in the care of relatives than with non-relatives and best when those relatives get the support they need. Yet, the way these systems determine the quality and level of support for these families is unjust and routinely leaves grandfamilies without critical support to help provide for the children.
Speakers include:
Sheri Brady, Vice President, Strategy and Program Children’s Defense Fund
Jaia Lent, Deputy Executive Director, Generations United
Amy Goyer, Lead Author of the Report, National Expert in Caregiving and Multigenerational Families
Robert Brown, Generations United GRAND Voice
Joanne Clough, Generations United GRAND Voice
Rosalie Tallbull, Generations United GRAND Voice