We're GRAND: a qualitative design and development pilot project addressing the needs and strengths of grandparents raising grandchildren

Abstract

Custodial grandparents play a significant role in sustaining healthy families, but the caregiving is demanding. A social research design and development process informed a school district‐university partnership project responding to the needs of a group of custodial grandparents. Three phases of the project are described: (i) needs assessment; (ii) design and implementation of a psychoeducational group facilitated by social work faculty and a school district administrator; and (iii) evaluation of programme impact. Major themes from the needs assessment and evaluation are presented. Discussion highlights the need for school and family engagement, recognition of the significant changes in family role required for grandparents, and viewing custodial grandparents as leaders and engaged caregivers. The meaning of diversity in group intervention for this population is also explored.

The social support in kinship foster care: a way to enhance resilience

“…We identify how the families receive a series of formal support (services aimed at family integration, or the psychological or learning needs of the children), but the question is whether this support is sufficient. Other studies show that despite the numerous aspects that require support, these families actually receive less than other non‐kinship foster families (Jiménez & Palacios ), and the kind of formal support that these families are receiving is not always in line with their demands (Lee & Blitz ).…”

“…The foster parents report stress to parenting their grandchildren, and in comparison with other kinds of foster care, they receive less attention and fewer services (Bernedo & Fuentes ; Del Valle et al . ; Lee & Blitz ). Consequently, the formal networks and the different kinds of support offered to kinship foster care families are fewer or deficient than other kinds of foster care (Molero et al .…”

“…Jiménez and Zabala (2011) noted that there are some difficulties associated with the additional load in parental role that the kinship foster families must assume. The foster parents report stress to parenting their grandchildren, and in comparison with other kinds of foster care, they receive less attention and fewer services (Bernedo & Fuentes 2010;Del Valle et al 2011;Lee & Blitz 2014). Consequently, the formal networks and the different kinds of support offered to kinship foster care families are fewer or deficient than other kinds of foster care (Molero et al 2007;Palacios & Jiménez 2009;Del Valle et al, 2011;Montserrat, 2014).…”

“…Other studies recognize that additional benefits to educational groups offered to foster families are the opportunity of exchanging experiences, giving mutual help and reducing the feeling of isolation (Kropf & Kolomer 2004), forming new relationships and strengthening the participants (Vacha-haase et al 2000). The kinship foster families themselves (Lee & Blitz 2014) and the foster children themselves (Fuentes-Peláez et al 2013) point the need to participate in support groups, but at the same time, Lee & Blitz (2014) recognized their limited access and utilization of those services.…”

Reflections on the Experiences and Needs of Grandparents Caring for Their Grandchildren With a Substance Use Disorder

“…Grandparents who are raising grandchildren with SUD struggle with the stressful demands created by their grandchildren's misconduct and its impact on their own emotional and physical wellbeing (Lee & Blitz, 2016;Harnett, Dawe, & Russel, 2014;Marken & Howard, 2014;Strom & Strom, 2011;Barnard, 2005). Other scholars report that the circumstances created by the SUD generate interpersonal complications such as relationship dissatisfaction, negative interactions and relational violence (Cox, Ketner & Blow, 2013;Benishek, Kirby & Dugosh, 2011).…”