GRANDPARENTS RAISING CHILDREN
Are you or someone you know raising grandchildren? The Area Agency on Aging partners with Social Service agencies in Maricopa County that assist grandparents and other kin caregivers (including aunts and uncles) with legal, financial, and parenting issues. Support groups are also offered by caring professionals.
What is grandparent kinship Care?
Kinship care is full-time protection and nurturing of children by an adult who has a family relationship bond with the child and is not the child's parent.
What does grandparent kinship care support consist of in Arizona?
If you are raising your grandchild the following transitional supports may be available to you:
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One-time transitional assistance not to exceed $300 per child to help cover the cost of additional beds and furniture and other necessary expenses related to transitioning the child into your home.
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Clothing and personal allowance of $75 a month per child (i.e. food, school supplies).
Are the services based on my income?
Income is not a disqualifying factor, however priority is given to grandparents with legal guardianship who are caring for their grandchild or grandchildren and have the greastest social and economic need and/or those residing in rural or geographically isolated areas.
What if my grandchildren live with me but I am not their legal guardian?
Help is still available to you, call the Area Agency on Aging's 24-Hour Senior HELP LINE at (602) 264- HELP (4357)
How do I receive services?
For more information on programs for grandparents and other family caregivers, contact the 24-hour Senior HELP LINE at (602) 264-HELP (4357) or toll free at (888) 264-2258.
Are there support groups available?
Current available support groups:
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Church of Beatitudes (Phoenix)
555 W. Glendale Ave
2nd and 4th Thursday/month 9-11:00 a.m.
602-274-5022 (Beatitudes Center D.O.A.R)
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Day Spring United Methodist Church
1365 E. Elliot Road, Room 201
Tempe, Az
1st Wednesday of each month 10-11:30am
602-274-5022(Beatitudes Center D.O.A.R)
“It has been our priviledge to be served by your agency for the past few months and we just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate it and how it helped us provide some practical needs for the granddaughters in our custody. Unexpected changes within our family led up to our taking custody of two of our grandchildren …without going into great details, suffice it to say we were left feeling alone, overwhelmed and overburdened with the task of raising two young, abandoned and needy little girls. With Julie’s assistance, we were able to receive cash assistance for 6 months. Although through this assistance, we were able to meet the practical need of some bedroom furniture, the assistance provided much more. Each month, we were reminded that we were not as alone as we felt and the overwhelming needs did not seem so insurmountable. During these past months, your encouragement of “being noticed” meant more than we can express in words but we wanted to be sure to say at least a written “thank you”. Thank you so very, very much for all you do to “notice” grandparents raising grandchildren.” - From a Grandparent Raising Grandchildren Client
