Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL Inc. Summer 2019
Time Well Spent
Note from Mary Ann When I founded Grandparents Raising Grandchildren 25 years ago, I had no idea we would be able to grow into an organization that would make a difference for so many children. I am passionate about supporting and advocating for kinship families and so grateful for the volunteers who work so hard to create the change we know is needed for relative care families. We hope you find the resources in the newsletter helpful. We are so excited to share our 2018 outcomes. Thank you to every donor, supporter, and partner who made it possible for us to serve over 2,000 children and their families last year. Your efforts are appreciated. More good news the U.S. Congress is working on the Grandfamilies Act of 2019, introduced by Senator Robert Casey and Representative Danny Davis. If passed this bill will provide services that are in the “best interests of the child”. Last year the Family First Prevention Services Act was signed into law to help keep children safely with the families and avoid the traumatic experience of entering foster care; emphasizing the importance of children growing up in families. Beginning October 1, 2019, states will have the option to use Title IV-E funds for prevention services for eligible children at risk of foster care placement and their families. Full law online: https://www.childrensdefense.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/08/family-first-detailedsummary.pdf
Our goal is to raise happy and well-adjusted grandchildren. Children of all ages need time and attention. This needs to be interactive time that is spent with child and adult fully engaged in some activity together. • To make them feel important and loved. • They have the opportunity to model a positive adult. • You can learn about your grandchild’s strengths and weaknesses. • They have a chance to voice their thoughts and feelings. • To develop a stronger bond. • Creates Memories. • Strengthen Healthier Lifestyles. • Relieves Stress Along with the idea of the interactive time, seizing the moment is important. Take the opportunity when it arises to talk or look at some situation that just happened or maybe just a hug or encouraging word. Our time needs to be intentional. Maybe we should start asking questions again? As children, we grow up with curiosity. We’re keen to learn, and understand, so we ask questions that will help us grow and function in the world. But as we get older—Why do we stop asking questions? Taking this opportunity with our grandchildren helps them to see the world differently and opens the door to be encouraged and challenge their lives. Find out what is really important to them and help them to discover new things. Turn off the auto pilot and really ‘Listen’ - be there for them. Be impulsive and inspire creativity. When we learn new things, we push ourselves beyond what we already know. It’s not so much what we do, but why we do it. And as we do—we may even make some changes in our own lives and see life with different eyes.
Mary Ann Sterling Executive Director The Clark Family just adopted their grandson! 1