Raising Grandchildren: Education

Can I get financial assistance for child care?

Every state has a child care subsidy program that helps pay for child care for families with lower incomes who meet the rules for eligibility. You will need to contact your state or local child care government office and fill out a form. The income, work, age of the child and other requirements vary from state to state, so you'll need to find out what the rules are in your state.

What do I need to know about enrolling my grandchildren in school?

If at all possible, it's a best to keep your grandchildren in the same school they've been in. (The fewer transitions they have to deal with, the better.) But if you do have to move your grandchildren to a new school, you may have trouble getting them enrolled in some states if you do not have legal custody or guardianship. There are "education consent" laws that make it easier to enroll children in school — but not every state has one. Ask your school or a Family Law lawyer what the laws are in your state, or check the GrandFacts state fact sheets for your state to see if there is an education consent law. Sometimes you can sign a legal paper saying you are caring for the child, or a parent can sign a special form. If you are unable to reach the parents, you may need to prove that you have tried to find them.

I can't afford to pay for school lunches; where can I apply for assistance?

The National School Lunch Program is a meal program in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides healthy low-cost or free lunches each school day to children whose families have lower incomes. There is also a school breakfast program. Ask your grandchild's teacher or social worker about these programs.

Grand Families Guide: Family Challenges. »