Grandparents from across the state and country are rallying to raise awareness about the lack of support they receive, in contrast to the foster care system, when raising grandchildren. The fourth annual Grand Rally is taking place today in Washington, DC.
Groups of grandparents left from many different states Thursday heading to Washington. They say once there, they’ll join other grandparents to raise awareness about the hardships of grandparents raising grandchildren.
While in Washington they hope to meet with legislators and talk to them about their challenges and encourage more support from the government.
Organizers say in many cases, the seniors are on a fixed income and the additional expenses can be tough to manage. They’re hoping to get many of the same rights foster parents have.
Among the speakers at today’s rally will be Jerry Wallace, the executive director of the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights. He says the time to act is now.
“Our families cannot wait,” Wallace said. “We have a whole segment of the population – unrecognized, under-served – that is doing the job that we would all do in their position. And they need to get the help that they deserve.”
Census data shows that the incidence of grandparents raising grandchildren is getting more and more common. As of 2010 about 6 million children, nearly 8 percent of all children, were recorded as living with grandparents identified as head of household.
To read more about grandparents rights check out my book No Greater Loss.
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I am very interested and wanting to support this group. I am currently dealing with raising 2 children and stopped visitation of a parent who is doing drugs and while taking it to court we have to go to mediation and now I have to go back to court because he wants more visitation. What is wrong with our system? No support, no insurance but yet parents get food stamps government phones and the kids have to get medicaid and admit their problems and we still have to go to court. I need a lawyer that CARES for the RIGHTS of the children, and the Guardians not the BIOLOGICAL Parents. I want to be HEARD!
Hi Tina,
I have two suggestions. First is to check out Grandparents Rights Organization. Richard Victor is it's founder and he has done more for Grandparents rights than any one I know. I am also releasing a new book in a couple of weeks so check out NEIL TAFT or Your Grandparent Rights on Amazon. I have included good and current resources in the back of the book. good luck on your labor of LOVE. Grandpa NEIL
Tremendous issues here. I am very glad to see your article.
Thanks a lot and I am looking forward to touch you. Will you please drop
me a mail?
Hi Caring Grandparent,
I will be releasing my new book "Your Grandparent Rights" on Amazon in a couple of weeks. There are good and current resources in the back of the book. Thanks for being a Caring Grandparent. Grandpa NEIL