IDAHO RELATIVES AS PARENTS
Helping those who are helping family
P
By Gaye Bunderson
reviously in the Treasure Valley • Papa John’s contributed pizzas. there existed a support group called • Jump Time allowed the kids to Grandparents as Parents. It actually come in and enjoy its amenities for still exists, but it now operates under free. a different name: Idaho Relatives as Parents. • Churches stepped up in any Current secretary of IRAP, Charlye Hahn, way they were needed. Through explained a number of people were not churches, Christmas gifts were given getting the support they needed because, even to 80 children last year, while at the though they had taken in relatives’ children, same time, an area philanthropic they weren’t the children’s grandparents. group provided dinner for all the Sometimes they were aunts, uncles, and families. others. • A church women’s group gave an Charlye, along with her husband, took in individual who had taken in her her twin great niece and nephew – Austin five grandchildren donations of Tammy Creswell has been looking after and Aubrea – when they were 3½ and their household cleaning items, gifts, and a her granddaughter, Paisley Turner, since mother left them in favor of the lure of drugs; new microwave to replace her the child was 4 years old. Said Tammy: they are now 22 and doing quite well, thanks broken one. “We lost her mother (my daughter) 3½ to the Hahns. • Another area charitable years ago. Paisley is such a treasure and But Charlye (pronounced ‘Charley’) organization provided gift cards we love her dearly and we had a blast at Jump Time that day.” Jump Time admits her first reaction to taking in two very to 35 families. allowed members of Idaho Relatives as young children was not in the affirmative. “I • The Wardrobe supplied quality Parents to come and enjoy its amenities originally said no,” she admitted, “because I clothing to all the foster youth. for free. (Courtesy photo) have four grandchildren older than the twins.” In all, IRAP helped 35 families Her own biological children had grown with all kinds of needs in December up, meaning she would have to backtrack of 2020. The numbers fluctuate considerably on rearing toddlers. Plus, Austin was non-verbal from month to month, but the need is significant. Charlye said and remained that way by at least age 4½. It wouldn’t be an unapologetically, “I want donors. I want more businesses to exercise in merely raising the kids but also giving extra special come on board. I’d like an email list I could use, so if there is a attention to Austin to help him acquire speaking skills. But her need I could reach out to someone who has volunteered and is heart soon motivated her to respond with a yes. The kids came able to help. to live with Charlye and her husband, and the Hahns became “We have a fantastic support group, but Covid put a damper what are called “kinship providers”. Ultimately, they adopted the on our forward momentum.” twins. IRAP has a board. Officers include: Mike Ball, facilitator; Toni Charlye has been involved with IRAP for about 6 to 7 years. Jones, co-facilitator; Sheila Myers, treasurer; and Charlye in her The non-profit changed its name in 2014 to accommodate role as secretary, at present. All the board members have served relatives other than grandparents who were taking in the kids of in the relative-as-parent role. The non-profit also has an advisory other family members, whether through the death of the parents board. or dereliction of parental duty by the children’s father, mother or IRAP maintains a private Facebook account; to access it, both. interested people may email IRAPTRVY@gmail.com to get a “Cousins have taken in cousins’ kids,” Charlye said. link to the account. Information may also be obtained through Child Protective Services is sometimes involved in the extended Idaho CareLine 2-1-1. Go online to 211.idaho.gov and read family arrangements, but frequently it is not. However, the the following about IRAP: “Idaho Relatives as Parents is a children are legally considered foster children until and unless an community of grandparents and other family members who are adoption takes place, even though they’re living with relatives. raising a relative’s child. ... If you are one of the 10,000 kinship The caregivers are eligible for $309 a month through a relative care providers in Idaho, you are not alone and there is support grant fund from the state – and that’s the standard amount no available for you in the community.” matter how many kids have been taken in. “It doesn’t go far,” “Come to a meeting and there’s no judgment,” Charlye said. Charlye said. “We welcome any person with open arms. It’s one safe place that Some businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals have you can feel comfortable in. We always have Kleenex. Tears are pitched in in various ways. To name a few*: okay – happy tears or sad tears. We support and cry with one another.”
4 MAY/JUN 2021 | Idaho Family Magazine
www.idahofamilymagazine.com
