Raising a grandchild creates unique legal, financial, medical, educational and family issues for the grandparent. Unfortunately, grandparents may lack easy access to the information and support they need to fulfill their caregiver role.
If you are a Northeastern Pennsylvania grandparent raising a grandchild you are fortunate that information and support is available to you through the NEPA Intergenerational Coalition.
The Coalition was created to provide a support system and advocacy network for grandparents and other family caregivers raising grandchildren. It holds monthly support group meetings at locations in Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties. Here is a link to a flyer containing support group meeting information: https://tinyurl.com/lq2fxpy.
Conference on October 24, 2014 is Free for Grandparents
The Coalition will be holding its 8th annual conference on Friday October 24, 2014 at the Mohegan Sun conference center. The conference will include many social service support agencies and information on legal issues. The conference is free for grandparents. For information about the conference contact Anne Hogya, Director Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad Street, Pittston, PA, 570-654-9565, ahogya@osterhout.lib.pa.us.
To contact the NEPA Intergenerational Coalition you can call the Pittston Memorial Library, which houses the group, at 570-654-9565. When you call the Library ask for Howard Grossman or Anne Hogya. Or you can email the group at nepagrg@yahoo.com or find out more through its website at www.grgnepa.com.
If you live outside this area, www.USA.gov has a webpage on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to help you find grandparent programs in your state and get information about benefits, assistance, and more.
Related Reading:
GrandFamilies Guide (AARP)
About Grandfacts (AARP)
