Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

 


There is no doubt that grandparents love their grandchildren and will do everything they can to help their grandchildren live full and successful lives. But there are times when all of us need some help to achieve our goals.

Pennsylvania strives to keep families together when tragedy strikes, and grandparents are often willing to step up to the plate to care for their grandchildren when the parents cannot. They do so without hesitation and with little support.

We have nearly 80,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren in Pennsylvania. And it is time to give these grandparents a helping hand.

This web site is a pilot program designed to support grandparents so they can raise and care for their grandchildren. I hope you find the information useful.

Our goal is to create a state-wide website and we would like your help. Please review the information below and complete the survey so that we can make sure we provide grandparents with all the information they need to keep their grandchildren healthy, happy and secure.

The information you share in the survey will help us improve this website so we help others in their efforts to take care of their family members.  

What information do you need today?

PA Kindconnector Helpline is available through DHS to help families locate physical or behavioral health services, enroll the child in school, find support groups, and orther services to help caregivers - Call 1-866-KIN-2111 (1-866-546-2111) anytime Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Learn about your rights as a grandparent raising a grandchildren
Grandparents raising grandchildren - Resource Guide

Legal Information

Medical Consent Act
Residence and Right to Free School Privileges

Support

NEPA Intergenerational Coalition of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Resources for Caregivers of Children 
Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania
Luzerne County Child & Youth Services
Child Welfare Services
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services 
Brookdale Foundation           

Education/Early Intervention
Enrolling a child into school
Luzerne County Head Start
Pennsylvania Department of Education Support Programs
Early Intervention Services                                  

Health
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Pennsylvania Medicaid
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Nutrition
Luzerne County Food Pantries
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Women, Infant and Children (WIC)

Financial and Other Assistance
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Child Care Works
Heating Assistance (LIHEAP)

Other
HelpLine of Northeast PA
Raising grandchildren legal issues
AARP
Luzerne County Libraries

Catholic Social Services
33 East Northampton Street, Wilkes, PA 18701
2nd Monday of Each Month, 6-7:30 p.m. / Contact Joan Gower @ 570-455-1521, Ext. 331

Catholic Social Services
214 West Walnut Street, Hazleton, PA 18201
2nd Thursday of Each Month, 6-7:30 p.m. / Contact Kristin Hart @ 570-455-1521, Ext. 325

Pennsylvania Grandparenting News


Hear about two Luzerne County families where the grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren.

The House Aging and Older Adult Services and the Aging and Youth Committees held a joint informational meeting on grandparents’ rights.
Grandparents raising grandchildren need our help (editorial)
Lawmakers aim to help grandparents raising grandchildren in PA
Grandparents raising grandchildren air pressing issues at Wilkes forum

Other News

The Pew Charitable Trusts story on why more grandparents are raising grandchildren in the U.S.