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We gathered information from many sources in compiling this manual.

Among them were:

•• The AARP Grandparent Information Center (GIC)

•• Support Group Leader Training Manual, published by the Alzheimer's Association, Arizona Chapter

•• For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A series of workshops to help you cope, published by the Grandparent Resource Center, New York City Department for the Aging

•• Kinship Support Services Program Training Manual (1998), published by the California Department of Social Services

•• Parenting Grandchildren: A Resource Guide for Kinship Caregivers (1996), published by the Center of Human Services Department, University of Maryland

•• The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resource Notebook (2000), published by The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Task Force.



Statistics show that nationwide there is a growing number of grandparents raising their grandchildren; this was reflected in being the only new question added to the Census 2000 survey. There are various complex situations that caregivers encounter that entail legal issues, school enrollment, housing, and eligibility for state support programs, to name just a few. The lack of community awareness of problems faced by these grandparents and kinship caregivers further adds to the already stressful situations they face. Locating and obtaining needed resources has been a difficult and frustrating experience.

When talking to groups and individuals across the state it is apparent that there are two things of equal importance that they need: support and resources are the common threads they all mention.

Support groups combat caregiver isolation, burnout, and help identify
resources. They offer emotional support to grandparents and kinship
caregivers facing common problems. Support groups provide an
opportunity to meet others in the same situation to share experiences,
knowledge, strengths, and hopes.

Table of Contents
(click on the chapters to read the manual)

Chapter 1: Whom This Manual is Designed to Help
Chapter 2: The Current State of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Chapter 3: The What's and Why's of Having a Support Group
Chapter 4: Starting a Support Group
Chapter 5: Leading a Support Group
Chapter 6: Conducting a Support Group Meeting
Chapter 7: Support Group Collaborators
Chapter 8: Resources

The Manual in PDF(Adobe) form to download and print.