Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
On July 8, 2008 the Child Advocate bill was signed into law which included
the establishment of the Commission on the Status of
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. (Section 1 of Chapter 176, the Acts of 2008 M.G.L. Chapter 3,
section 69. This legislation calls for a permanent commission on the status of
grandparents raising grandchildren which consists of 11 persons who have
demonstrated a commitment to grandparents.
Click here for a one page (PDF) description of the Grandparent Commission.
The Commission |
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John Lepper: Chair Kerry Bickford: Vice-Chair Lynn Girton: Treasurer Connie Dilego: Commissioner Ted Dusbky: Commissioner Margo Chevers: Commissioner Sandy Albright: Commissioner Judith Roderick: Commissioner Jeff Quinn: Commissioner Manuela DaCosta: Commissioner Paul Donato: Commissioner |
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| Click the member name to see the member's image. | |
The Commission’s primary purpose is to serve as a "resource to the commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren."
The Commission’s responsibilities include:
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Fostering unity among grandparents raising grandchildren, communities and organizations in the commonwealth, by promoting cooperation and sharing of information and encouraging collaboration and joint activities;
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Serving as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to the unique interest and concern to grandparents raising grandchildren;
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Advising executive and legislative bodies of the potential effect of proposed legislation on grandparents raising grandchildren, as the commission deems necessary and appropriate;
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And identifying issues that are faced by relatives, other than parents, who are raising children. Currently, the Commission meets monthly at various locations around the state. These meetings are open to the public.and posted at www.mass.gov/elders
The Commission spent it’s first year (2009-10) conducting a Learning Tour across the state, in order to identify the issues that were of most concern to grandparents and kin,. Based upon an analysis these findings, the Commission created four sub-committees to further explore the most urgent issues and begin to make appropriate recommendations. They are:
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Legal information and access to legal services
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Information and Referral / Interagency collaboration / Navigating the system
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Economic support and self sufficiency
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Strategies to create and sustain support groups for grandparents and kin across the state
We are hoping that this website is a place we can share information and tools that reflect the work we are doing on each of these issues, and we welcome your input, questions, corrections and comments!
To contact the Commission:
Mail: Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
c/o Executive Office of Elder Affairs, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Email: grandparents@capecoalition.com
Grandparent phone line: 508-771-4336