Grandparents Raising Children Support Group
This community is dedicated to grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. In cases where the parents are not willing or able to provide adequate care for their children, grandparents may take on the role of primary caregivers. Join the support group to find support, share your experience, and get advice from other members.
GAP = grandparents as parents, they are a group that receives state and federal funds to help grandparents with legal and understand the FC system. They will help me with childcare funds because the CALWorks program denied me because what I understand on the letter they were still paying funds to the mother. It took 4 months for them to finally find that out?? I told them in my 1st meeting that the mother was getting funds and I showed them my legal papers. They are so slow with cutting off funds to the people who cheat.
The person who ran the meeting at GAP said that the Social Worker shouldn't make me take off work for his monthly meeting. That he needs to do it when I am home or on the weekend.
I was also told that the DCFS requires that Foster parents are required to attend and earn credits for attending classes, etc...this is something I wasn't told and I have attended one in-service training last month and another one will be this Thursday. The weird thing is I had to push myself into this training because I emailed to register and I never received an email to confirm my reservation. When I showed up to last months in-service they didnt even have my name on the list however; they did register me when I showed up. I am now glad I did because the flyer I received didn't mention I needed credit hours or anything like that neither did the SW. I just pushed it because I am still in the dark and I will do whatever to make sure that they don't take my gs and put him in foster care. We ar the best caregivers my GS can get....we give him what he needs and since he was placed with us he is so happy and loving.
So, this grandparent group will be a big help in helping me move within the system that I needed.
Judi
The person who ran the meeting at GAP said that the Social Worker shouldn't make me take off work for his monthly meeting. That he needs to do it when I am home or on the weekend.
I was also told that the DCFS requires that Foster parents are required to attend and earn credits for attending classes, etc...this is something I wasn't told and I have attended one in-service training last month and another one will be this Thursday. The weird thing is I had to push myself into this training because I emailed to register and I never received an email to confirm my reservation. When I showed up to last months in-service they didnt even have my name on the list however; they did register me when I showed up. I am now glad I did because the flyer I received didn't mention I needed credit hours or anything like that neither did the SW. I just pushed it because I am still in the dark and I will do whatever to make sure that they don't take my gs and put him in foster care. We ar the best caregivers my GS can get....we give him what he needs and since he was placed with us he is so happy and loving.
So, this grandparent group will be a big help in helping me move within the system that I needed.
Judi
In WI they have recently instituted a program where the relative caregivers have to become certified as stage 2 foster parents - it involves taking classes, as you say. Those of us who already have permanency are exempted. We also are exempted from the housing requirements of a normal foster home (PTL).
GAP is a good group. We don't have one in our area, but I've learned a little about them from attending our Commission on Aging Conference calls over the last 6 months.
They have quite a bit of info on their websites as well, I think. I haven't had time to check it out too much yet, but it might be worth a look. Also check out your Commission on Aging website. In WI ours has a whole section just for us! :)
My DSS made me take off work for the meetings. I had to give up most of the "extra" help because I almost lost my job over all the time off I had to take. The Social Worker actually told me I had to choose between my job and my grandson! It was a nightmare time. I sure hope and pray that this time for you goes a lot smoother. There are more resources available than there were 4 years ago, although not enough!