And WELCOME to the web page of the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
We've been in existence since our first official swearing in ceremony in May of 2009
(Commission on the Status of Grandparents raising Grandchildren)
and have been very busy since...
Although Commissioners chair working groups, there are many community members and organizations
represented on these committees who have made generous contributions of time and ongoing support.
As a result, we have made great progress moving forward on many initiatives that empower and educate
grandparents about the choices that they have and the resources available to them.
The Information and Referral Sub-committee was tasked with getting accurate information
to grandparents who are seeking custody of their grandchildren. This began with the
release of the Grandparent Resource Guide in 2009, and continued with several one pagers
in our original series called
Grandparents, You Are Not Alone,
Choices in Custody, and
when DCF is involved, which may answer some of your questions about these
complicated issues. In addition to this, the Information and Referral Committee built
the Commission website,
www.massgrg.com, and works hard
to keep it current, accurate and user friendly. Presently, it is undergoing a re-design
to improve it as a resource.
The Legal Assistance working group has successfully worked to secure funding to help track
the needs of indigent grandparents raising grandchildren. Grandparents are invited to call
the Senior Legal Helpline at 1-866-778-0939 for assistance. The Legal subcommittee is kept
quite busy doing research on the many issues that are raised within the Commission, and
through grandparent questions and feedback. The subcommittee also continues to explore
ways to increase the availability of legal resources for grandparents, many of whom are
low income and unable to afford private counsel.
The Support group subcommittee spent a period of several months conducting a mapping
project to identify viable support groups across Massachusetts and to help pinpoint
where support groups were needed. Through the Department of Children and Families,
they secured funding to start an additional six support groups (see the
Support Groups link at the top of the home page). The Support Group sub-committee also successfully
planned and convened our
First Annual Grandparent Conference
in June at Worcester State University. The conference room was filled to capacity,
and evaluations reflected a positive experience learning more about the issues, services, and need for
additional local support groups.
The Economic Support and Self Sufficiency group has been able to successfully navigate a state
appropriation of $20,000.00, currently used to help track the needs of indigent grandparents
raising grandchildren for FY 2012 and FY 2013, thanks to the efforts of Paul Donato.
This group also worked successfully toward finding a fiscal agent - the Massachusetts
Council on Aging. Other concerns of this group include seeking funding for a Warm Line
Proposal that would help address the specific needs of grandparents and provide more support.
This work has all been done by volunteers. In addition, some of the Commissioners run support groups,
others represent the Commission at events when we are invited to present, and still others spend many
hours behind the scenes talking to grandparents, community groups, and advancing the work of the
Commission on the legislative level.
We are committed to the grandparents' voice, and we invite you learn more about the
Commission and especially to work with us as we continue to move forward. Grandparents
contribute so much to their families and communities. Please join us in supporting them.
