{"id":5488,"date":"2013-02-06T22:01:56","date_gmt":"2013-02-06T22:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec2-52-14-78-51.us-east-2.compute.amazonaws.com\/?post_type=press-releases&p=5488"},"modified":"2018-05-09T22:49:19","modified_gmt":"2018-05-09T22:49:19","slug":"programs-now-available-support-grandparents-raising-young-grandkids","status":"publish","type":"press-releases","link":"https:\/\/www.firstthingsfirst.org\/es\/press-releases\/programs-now-available-support-grandparents-raising-young-grandkids\/","title":{"rendered":"Programs Now Available to Support Grandparents Raising Young Grandkids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Focus on \u201csecond-time\u201d parents critical to help build strong families<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Northwest Maricopa, Arizona (February 6, 2013) \u2013 Imagine reaching your golden years and then suddenly finding yourself raising your infant, toddler or preschool-age grandchildren.<\/p>\n

This is an increasingly common experience for grandparents, especially in the Northwest Valley. In fact, according to a community report commissioned by the First Things First Northwest Maricopa Regional Partnership Council, 13.2 percent of children ages 5 and younger in the region are being raised by their grandparents, a rate slightly greater than the Maricopa County rate of 12.5 percent.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many older adults, it\u2019s been 20 or 30 years since they raised an infant or toddler. We know so much more now about how young kids develop and learn, and how critical those early years are to their success in school and in life,\u201d said Christina Lyons, Regional Director of the FTF Northwest Maricopa region. \u201cThere is clearly a need in our area for programs that give grandparents the information they need to make the best choices for the education and health of their grandchildren.\u201d<\/p>\n

In order to address this growing need, the FTF Northwest Maricopa Regional Council is funding community-based programs targeting grand-families. A series of free support groups, parent education sessions and family activities are all being offered now in the Northwest Valley.<\/p>\n

These will address some of the particular issues faced by second-time parents:\u00a0 finding opportunities for their young grandchildren to socialize with other children, developing coping skills for the change in the family unit, financial and legal issues, updating parenting skills and information and referral to access other needed services.<\/p>\n

Benevilla, a not-for-profit in Surprise, in partnership with Phoenix-based non-profit Duet, are administering the program throughout the Northwest Valley.<\/p>\n

Sherry Griffin, Grandparents Raising Granchildren Program Specialist, leads the program, which is free and open to any grandparent raising grandchildren. Along with the regular support meetings listed below, there will also be a free Grandfamilies Conference held on March 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the AASK Building, 15396 N. 83rd<\/sup>\u00a0Ave., Suite A100, Peoria. To register, contact Griffin at 623-207-6016.<\/p>\n

List of support meetings:<\/p>\n