Raising Great Kids

Grandparenting and kinship efforts reflect our commitment to making stronger ties between the generations, so that all can achieve their hopes and dreams.

Grandparenting Program
Millions of children reside full-time in households headed by grandparents. While cherishing the opportunities to shape their grandchildren’s future, many grandparents need support along the way. The AARP Foundation’s Grandparenting Program provides information about health, finances and family connections that helped grandparents address the needs and dreams of the young people they care for.

Kinship Caregiving
Many children live with relatives for the same reasons that children in foster care do. Their parents may have abused, neglected or abandoned them, or were rendered unable to care for children due to substance abuse, mental illness or some other reason.

The AARP Foundation addressed their needs through “kinship caregiving” efforts supported by a grant from the New York Life Foundation. Through the New York State Kincare Coalition, school workers and counselors learned how to bridge the gap between school systems and social welfare agencies. Caregivers received information about the legal and financial resources available to them. Legal professionals learned about new national and state laws regarding guardianship. And correctional facilities informed incarcerated parents about the services and resources available to family members caring for their children.