| relatives such as grandparents raise children, it could | | | | on Medicaid eligibility, or try State Children’s |
| be due to a parent’s death, military duty or | | | | Health Insurance Programs. |
| criminal behavior. Some children require a change from | | | | Grandparents might be eligible for relief programs |
| drug fueled, abusive homes or parents who are in jail | | | | under Federal Relief Programs, such as earned credits |
| or mentally ill. Grandparents are often looking forward | | | | on income tax, child tax, and health coverage. Every |
| to their sunset years, and may not be prepared for the | | | | year the tax laws and their requirements change |
| financial, emotional, or mental strain this puts on the, and | | | | therefore getting assistance when filing taxes is crucial, |
| they may become overwhelmed. There are State | | | | especially to make sure that all relief credits open to |
| Fact Sheets that correlate data for the use of | | | | you are made available. For further assistance on child |
| grandparents or kinship care givers, which contains | | | | and other taxes relieves, visit the local IRS office in |
| updated information on services, resources, and | | | | person or visit the IRS website. Childcare is obtainable |
| programs open to them, state policies for foster care, | | | | through Child Care Aware. This service aids in locating |
| benefit programs that are critical to the public, State | | | | experts in child care through the Child Care Resource |
| laws that affect them, and helpful National and State | | | | and Referral services. This resource will aid in locating |
| organizations that may be helpful. The updates on | | | | providers of Child Care Referrals, child care that is |
| these fact sheets occurs once a year, with twelve to | | | | appropriate State licensing information, as well as other |
| thirteen approximate states fully updating each quarter | | | | helpful information. Financial assistance to pay for child |
| of the year. | | | | care may be available to grandparents, through Child |
| Primary children caregivers, such as grandparents, are | | | | Care Aware brochures. |
| faced with various pitfalls, namely emotional, medical, | | | | Emotional support for the grandchildren as well as the |
| financial, and legal challenges. The initial step in the | | | | grandparents is available within their communities, as |
| determination of needed support revolves around legal | | | | atypical problems spanning behavioral, educational, and |
| questions, such as adoption, guardianship and adoption. | | | | psychological issue arise as a result of grandparents |
| Without legal bearings, grandparents many find it | | | | raising grandchildren, as it is quite different to look after |
| difficult to take medical decisions or enroll grandchildren | | | | grandchildren in comparison to you own kids. Both the |
| in educational institutions. State financial assistance is | | | | grandparents and grandchildren may be undergoing |
| available in some states, through sources such as | | | | confusion, disappointment and anger at the absence or |
| social security, temporary assistance to needy families, | | | | inability of the parents/children not being available. By |
| foster care, or Medicaid might be available. Inquire with | | | | seeking faith community help from sources such as |
| private heath insurance companies if grandchildren are | | | | individual counselors, support agencies, other relatives, it |
| allowable for inclusion in your policy, if you have one. | | | | eases the burden. |
| Local Social Services Departments contain information | | | | |