Colorado State Extension Offers Help to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Colorado State University Extension has developed a new source of information for a burgeoning situation – grandparents raising their grandchildren. From 1990 to 2000, the number of custodial grandparents in Colorado increased by 73 percent. In the United States, more than 4.5 million children under age 18 live with their grandparents.  

A new resource for these grandparents is now available

through an innovative project from Colorado State Extension. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support website – www.ext.colostate.edu/grg – offers grandparents and other kinship care providers information, resources and support to help them with this new role.   

The website includes local, state and national resources on financial assistance, health, legal issues, education and parenting. Research-based publications from Colorado State University and other land-grant university Extension programs help grandparents link to useful information. There is a listing of support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren, information on building a support network and a section for frequently asked questions.     

"Grandparents often lack support they need to fulfill this caregiving role," said Jacque Miller, Extension agent from Larimer County. "Social support is critical in protecting grandparents from depression, isolation, caregiving overload and life disruptions. Research shows that support networks are crucial for grandparents raising grandchildren."

The website development was funded by a Colorado State Extension Innovation Award. Joining Miller in developing the website were Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agents Luann Boyer, Morgan County;  Anne Zander, Boulder County; Donna Liess, Weld County; and Ruth Willson, Extension assistant director for technology. Colorado State University Department of Human Development and Family Studies Professor Christine Fruhauf and School of Social Work Professor Kimberly Bundy-Fazioli also assisted.

For more information, contact Jacque Miller at (970) 498-6000 or jacque.miller@colostate.edu.

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