I don't know how to do it, but count me in.

My first thought is - who's gonna fund it. :P

Sorry - hit add too quick... again :P

Meant to add - you can see where my mind is lately. :)

I'd be in too!!!

There have actually been three marches on Washington but only about 150 people showed up. I have mentioned the book I wrote about grandparents raising grandchilren and I am sending info out to everyone I can in Washington and my state legislature. However, just like the marches on Washington, it is difficult to get people to take a stand. I might add that the people who organized the marches did the prep to have politicians including Hilary Clinton involved. This same group has been able to get laws passed in Washington and two states for grandparents raising grandchildren. My book and my work is a follow-up to their efforts. They got the Fostering Adoption law passed two years ago which benefits grandparents raising grandchildren. I am setting up a website for grandparents resource, but I am definitely concerned about it as every time I try to help someone, they step away from the plate when it comes time to hit the ball.

It seems in WI that they are concerned about GP rights, but not about guardianship rights. I wonder if we should be going at it from the angle of guardianship rights rather than grandparent rights?

There are many guardians who are aunts, uncles, even siblings. Their rights need to be protected as well.

As my current court battle attests, it is not only a battle against the bios to keep our rights as guardians secure, but against other family members as well.

It is a subtle difference, but what I'm trying to say is that maybe we'd get more support and coverage if we broadened the scope to include all guardianships, and then zeroed in on grandparents after all guardianship rights are protected.

What do you think, DD? I'm sure you've considered this....

Oh, and are there any current federal cases or groups, other than AARP that we should be watching politically? I'd love the links! :) I really want to stay informed on the guardianship rights issue, but it is EXTREMELY hard to find info on it anywhere! For example, if one of these marches were being formed, what website should we be watching so we can be informed about it? :)

Through experience, many grandparents raising grandchildren groups have found that Granny's rights would be relegated to visitation rights over custody rights. In Illinois, about 2 years ago the Task Force for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren changed to Grandparents and other kin raising children. My personal opinion is that it should be grandchildren's rights as they are the ones who get bounced around. We are not really looking for our own rights but rights to protect our grandchildren. If you google "grandparents raising grandchildren" you will find a multitude of links. In my book: Born Into Love, I have information on groups and links as well as studies. The paperback form is now less than $10 and can be purchased on Amazon. Grandfamilies of America launched the marches and they are the ones who got the Fostering Adoption Law passed which enforces that states must notify grandparents and other kin if a child is going into foster care so they can have opportunity to keep the children in the family. It also guarantees that states must inform grandparents and other kin if a child is being adopted out of foster care and family must have first right to adopt. States receive federal money for complying with this law and it can be taken away if they are found not complying. I have worked a gm on ds on this subject. You can get a lot of information from Generations United on the subject. AARP works with Generations United.