West Virginia State University Healthy Grandfamilies Program Another EPIDEMIC in our country an EPIDEMIC in West Virginia! GRANDFAMILIES a new community! Bonnie Dunn, MS Bonnie.dunn@wvstateu.edu parsonsb@wvstateu.edu West Virginia State University
West Virginia State University Healthy Grandfamilies HISTORY / BACKGROUND 2
What is a Grandfamily? A GrandFamily is a special kind of Kinship arrangement. Different from kinship and foster care because of the genetic/biological connect. Grandparents are: A treasure, founders of a loving legacy, greatest storytellers, keepers of traditions, strong foundation. Special love sets them apart from all others. They keep a family close at heart.” 3
National Trends • Over 2.5 million grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren • For every 1 child in the foster care system, 25 are being raised by grandparents or relatives outside of the system • Grandfamilies save tax payers more then $6.5 $4 billion by keeping kids out of foster care Source: Generation United, 2017 4
Statewide Trends WV ranks 2 nd among all states in the % of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren. Source: Kids County 2016 5
Source: WVRHA/WV Health Data Portal 6
Common reasons for grandparents raising their grandchildren • Death of parent • Mental Illness • Abandonment or • Divorce neglect • Teen pregnancy • Incarceration • HIV/AIDS • Substance abuse • Abuse, family violence • Unemployment and/or • Military deployment financial problems 7
Challenges Faced by Custodial Grandparents • Legal status • Family relationships • Financial support • Support services • Health care/mental • Fair & equal treatment health care • Often dealing with • School addiction of adult child • Child behavior 8
Program Model Intervention Grandparents receive: • Education/Action Plan (3 months) – Weekly Discussion Groups for grandparents delivered in the community in which they live. – Child care – Refreshments • Family Support Follow-up (3 months following Discussion Groups) Total Intervention = 6 months 9
Discussion Topics 1. Communication 2. Parenting in the 21 st Century We must not have gotten it right the first time or we wouldn’t be raising our grandchildren! 3. Family Relationships 4 . Self Care Health Literacy 5. Stress 10
Discussion Topics 6. Nutrition 7. Technology, Social Media, Cyber-bullying 8. Navigating the Legal System 9. Navigating the School System 10. Family Response to Addiction 11
Additional Topics • Trauma Informed Care • ACE’s • Counselling Services • Others as needed 12
“Healthy Grandfamilies” Be It Known That John Successfully completed this program which focused on: Communication, Parenting in the 21 st Century, Family Relationships, Self-Care/Health Literacy, Stress, Nutrition, Legal Issues, School System, Social Media and Family Response to Addiction. 16 hours’ class time Healthy Grandfamilies Coordinator Date Social Worker Date 13
Andy and Debbie Adoption 2 Grandchildren Ages 5 yrs - 4 months
Baseline Characteristics (N=125) from the Pilot Project 17
• Age range: 39 – 82 (67.4% age 60+) • 73.4% female • 88.8% Caucasian/White (78.4% grandchildren Caucasian/white) • 66% Married • 44.8% some college or college degree • 32% with incomes $10,000 – $24,999 • (45% $25,000 - $49,999 18
Placement Reasons Primary reasons for 2 Average # of placement: grandchildren in – Drug-related 84.8% • Addiction grandfamily household: • Death of parent • Incarcerated parent • Child removed by DHHR – Financial reasons 6.4% – Parent has disability 4.0% – Military deployment 1.6% – Parent is a teenager 1.6% – Other 1.6% 19
Health Status • Grandparents’ chronic health conditions: ➢ At least 1 100% ➢ Top 3: arthritis, heart disease, chronic pain • Self-reported health of grandparents: ➢ Excellent 60.8% ➢ Good 32.0% ➢ Fair/Poor 7.2% 20
Chronic Conditions of Children • Grandchildren’s chronic conditions: ➢ At least 1 22% ➢ Top 4: ✓ Hyperactivity 19.2% reported to have ✓ Behavior Problems behavioral problems ✓ Obesity 19.2% diagnosed with ✓ Learning Disability hyperactivity 12.0% diagnosed with a mental health condition 21
Grandfamilies with 7 grandchildren 8 grandchildren 9 grandchildren Are you prepared to take on such a daunting task? ” 22
Family Support Follow-up (3 months) “Social Work in Action” 23
What is the current status of WVSU HGP? 24
2 year post follow-up Survey’s were mailed to the original participants of the Pilot Project. With 49% of the survey’s from the follow -up results are: Percentages 93% – 96% “strongly agree” “agree” That the overall participating in the program made a positive impact on their family. Comments: “I would highly recommend this program to any grandparent involved in raising a grandchild. “I found that the program is phenomenal. Everyone on the HG team was extremely knowledgeable and helpful…” 25
Training the 54 Harrison County was trained 2017 during the Pilot Project 22 Trainings 805 participants 1 Social Work Training 22 participants 26
Replication of WVSU HGP Trained Kentucky New Hampshire Guam 27
Healthy Grandfamilies HANCOCK December 2019 BROOKE OHIO MONONGALIA WETZEL MARION PRESTON TYLER MINERAL TAYLOR HAMPSHIRE WOOD RITCHIE TUCKER GRANT TUCKER HARDY LEWIS WIRT JACKSON RANDOLPH MASON ROANE BRAXTON PENDLETON PUTNAM CLAY WEBSTER CABELL KANAWHA NICHOLAS Trained WAYNE LINCOLN Active Programs BOONE FAYETTE GREENBRIER in 28 counties LOGAN RALEIGH WYOMING MONROE MERCER MCDOWELL
Testimony from a Grandmother 29
Kairos is a time that requires a conversion from people. Kairos is extraordinary time, requiring interpretation. The capacity to read the signs of the time. 30
Bill & Lillie Blackhurst my Grandparents Rand, WV 1948
Contact Information Bonnie Dunn, MS, Extension Specialist Family and Consumer Sciences bonnie.dunn@wvstateu.edu parsonsb@wvstateu.edu o. 304-204-4007 c. 304-541-1654 32
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