GRG of Brevard September 2013 Newsletter

GRG of Brevard

September 2013 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA INC.

ISSUE # 148

[Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]

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Issue 148

GRG of Brevard

STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT Session 1 of TARGET Training ~ Department of Children and Families – Supervisor Bobby Shea Mr. Shea informed us that if you receive your grandchildren from your children without DCF’s involvement you should do the following: Get a statement (this is not a Power of Attorney) from the parents or parent. This statement needs a witness. Try to accomplish this before the parents leave. You can obtain a copy from our office.

Tell the case worker you would like to report on the PARENTAL CAPACITY of parents of the grandchildren in your care. The areas to be covered are as follows: Cognitive ability Behavioral Emotional These indicate if parent is qualified to take care of children.

SENIOR COUNSELING ~ A REMINDER Cliff Valentine has offered senior counseling. Cliff is a certified counselor and has offered his services each Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Each client will receive an hour of counseling free of charge. If you are interested in using his services please call 631-7776 for an appointment.

E-NEWSLETTER Are you interested in receiving an online version of our newsletter rather than a printed version? Please send an email to grg.brevard@gmail.com and include your name, email address and mailing address to insure we update your record accordingly!

Thank you for helping us save on printing costs so that more of each dollar can benefit children and families.

CHILD CARE – NEW INFORMATION The Early Learning Coalition has just informed our organization that their funds have been cut. Grandparents raising their grandchildren who are receiving TANF and Medicaid will now have to go on a waiting list which could be as long as 6 months to a year for child care.

Grandparents who are receiving Relation Caregiver Funds (grandchildren who have been adjudicated to their grandparents through DCF receiving $249 or more) will be given priority for child care.

If there are any questions please call 631-7776.

Help is just a Call Away: Office: 321.631.7776 Cell: 321.848.8006 123 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge FL 32955 www.grg-brevard.org GRG of Brevard offers information and referral to assist you, support and discussion groups to connect you and educational workshops to inform you.

UPCOMING TRAINING CLASSES COMPUTER CLASSES conducted by Bill Hobson If you would like to know more about what your grandchild is doing on the computer or if you would like to be more proficient on the computer please call 321-631-7776. Class schedule will be based on number of participants.

DILIGENT SEARCH CLASSES conducted by Lillian Hobson When you start a case to get custody, guardianship or adoption of your grandchild, and you do not know where the parents are located, legally you must do a diligent search for their location. If you do this yourself it lowers the cost of legal expense. If you would like to participate please call 321-631-7776. Class schedule will be based on number of participants.

Giving your time, love and resources makes all the difference in the world, especially for the children and families served by GRG of Brevard Page 2

Issue 148

GRG of Brevard

ATTENTION MEMBERS This is a special request to all grandparents raising their grandchildren. Please try to attend our support group meetings. We have speakers with very helpful information and hope that you will consider coming to these events.

If we have assisted you in anyway, please come and share how we have helped you and tell us how this assistance has provided much needed information to help you in the rearing of your grandchildren.

If you have a great story or news about your grandchild please let us know; we would love to publish it in our newsletter.

Older children are welcome to submit stories, photos or poetry.

Please email grg.brevard@gmail.com

BACK TO SCHOOL

Thirty five grandchildren received assistance with school supplies, thanks to the Elks Club.

GRG of Brevard also provided an additional 30 backpacks with a grant from Brevard CBO. Grandchildren going back to school can be a welcomed time and give you a time to rest and do some things for yourself. We need to take care of ourselves to enable us to be the best grandparents we can be. Happy School Days!

GREAT NEWS We received funding from the United Way of Brevard again this year. This was made possible by the wonderful presentation by board members Mike Thomas and Mary Ann Sterling and grant writing

by Lou Ann Hawes.

Mary Ann Sterling made a presentation to the Brevard County CBO for funding on Aug. 22nd, we will be notified later in September if we have received another grant.

We are underway with the planning for our Children’s Christmas Celebration if you are interested in volunteering contact the office 321631-7776 or grg.brevard@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2013 ~ MEETINGS During the month of September GRG of Brevard is offering TARGET Training and Support Group Meetings.

Tuesday, September 10th – Titusville Support Group Meeting 805 Century Medical Dr, Building B, Titusville. This group is partnered with Parrish Senior Solutions. 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Thursday, September 12th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting Libscomb Street Community Center 10:00 – 11:30 am.

(This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month) Tuesday, September 12th – TARGET Training GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Tuesday, September 17th – Central Brevard Support Group & TARGET Training GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 10:00 – 12:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Thursday, September 19th – South Brevard Support Group Meeting Memaw’s Restaurant, 4916 Babcock Blvd, Palm Bay 6:00 – 7:30 pm (Dinner is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the third Thursday of each month) Wednesday September 25th – TARGET Training GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Thursday, September 26th – Beach Side Support Group.(Guest Speaker: Big Brothers/Big Sisters) Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the last Thursday of each month) Friday, September 27th – TARGET Training GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Monday, September 30th – TARGET Training (Bring a covered dish) GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 10:00 – 11:00 am

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Issue 148

GRG of Brevard

HELP THE GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDREN OF GRG OF BREVARD BECOME A MEMBER Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County FL, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

All gifts are deductible on corporate, foundation and individual tax returns to the extent provided by state and federal laws.

Members of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. receive our newsletter and invitations to events where they can meet others in similar situations Name

I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent [ ] Aunt / Uncle

Date:

[ ] Sister / Brother

Address:

[ ] Other (please specify) [ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.

City/State: Zip: Phone: Email: [ ] Annual Membership $20

[ ] Annual Corporate Membership $500

I want to be a friend of the GRG of Brevard and enclose an additional donation of: [ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 Other: $

Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge, FL 32955

Address Label

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