"Thank you for your interest in the work and mission of the Massachusetts Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
The GP Commission is proud to support the over 35,000 grand-families in Massachusetts, and specifically, the 11,000 grandparents and kinship caregivers raising children without biological parents present.
The work of the GP Commission continues to expand and now includes activities such as virtual workshops, grand-family scholarships to museums and other venues, an annual conference, amongst many other supports and resources.
If you would like to contribute to the continuation of this great work, please consider making a donation to the Massachusetts Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.
Our non-profit fiscal partner, The Massachusetts Councils on Aging, has graciously agreed to assist the GP Commission regarding donations
To make a donation: Please send a check: Massachusetts Councils on Aging c/o the GP Commission 9 Summer Street, Suite 306 Franklin, Ma. 02038
Deanna Forist
Deanna Forist holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a Master's in Education/Human Services Administration. She retired after forty-three years of service to children and families in a variety of professional roles. The first years of her career were spent teaching children/youth with significant disabilities, supervising teachers, and developing family support programs focused on self-advocacy for parents and families in concert with broader systems change efforts. Building on her passion for educational equity, Deanna spent twenty plus years advocating for the educational rights of students in the child welfare system, and several years as the Director of MSPCC’s KINnections Program, where she built a strong, diverse and vibrant grandparent community.
Throughout her career, Deanna was regarded as a knowledgeable, engaging, and gifted trainer and facilitator. She presented at numerous statewide conferences, combining her expertise in special education advocacy, child welfare, kinship care and family & community engagement.
In 2018, Deanna was honored to receive the John Lepper Advocacy Award from the MA Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren for her extraordinary commitment, resourcefulness and advocacy for grandparents/relative caregivers in Boston. Since her retirement she has remained involved with the Commission, serving on the Advisory Board and various sub-committees. Deanna was appointed to the Commission by the Governor’s Office in January 2024. Along with her active involvement with the Commission, she also enjoys volunteering in her community.
Thank you!
The Commission is fortunate to have an amazing partner in the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging which is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization.
MCOA has been a friend and supporter of the Commission for many years.
If you are considering making a donation to the Commission for programming, services, and events to benefit grandparents and relative caregivers throughout Massachusetts, you may do so by sending a check to MCOA located at 116 Pleasant Street Suite 306 Easthampton, Ma.
**Please indicate “GP Commission” in the memo of the check.