Jessica Hernandez
California State University of Long Beach
School of Social Work
May 2012
Introduction
Grandparent involvement in raising grandchildren has become increasingly
prevalent and represent the family’s strength for managing crises. During the past 30
years, three have been an increasingly number of children in the United States raised
in grandparent –households (Goodman, 2005).
Due to their involvement, grandparent have become visible in the school setting
and more involved in the child’s education. They have been instrumental in overseeing
school attendance, homework, and supervision of field trips and responding to
disciplinary actions from teachers.
Although grandparents have strong parenting skills , several studies have also
suggested that children raised by grandparents may encounter behavioral, emotional,
and academic problems at school and require emotional and social
intervention by school professionals (Anft, 2009).
RESEARCH
 Grandparent caregivers are the fastest growing out -of -home placement funded
by child welfare agencies and in many large urban areas. The increase is attributed to
the legal mandates and changes in child welfare policies and practices that encourage
temporary and permanent placement with grandparents.
 Grandparents headed households are still found in every segment and geographic
regions in the United States (Fuller –Thomson & Minkler, 2005).
 According to 2010 U.S. Census, more than 4.5 million children less than 18 years of
age live in grandparent-run households .
 In Los Angeles County, over 330,000 homes were headed by grandparents and
over 170,000 children age newborn to 11 years old are in the care of the grandparents
(U.S. Census, 2010).
 From 2000 to 2010, the United States experienced an increase in the number of
young elementary school-aged children raised by their grandparents and it is believed
that the numbers will continue to increase (U.S. Census, 2010).
Social Work and Cross Cultural
Relevance
Children raised by their grandparents can be found among all religions, ethnicities,
and socio-economic classes.
Social workers can directly serve this population by assessing and providing
necessary support such as support groups, grandparent education, and resources
on community agencies and provide information on self -care.
Services to grandparents caregivers should be geared to the dynamic of the family
and relevant to the grandparent’s life experience, including age, life phase, race,
and ethnicity (Reynolds, Wright, & Beale, 2003).
Social Workers can empower grandparents to identify strengths and improve their
ability to use their parenting skills and guide them to utilize community services
that provide, predictability and healthy family model for their grandchildren.
Implications for Grandparents
•
Interruption to their retirement years.
•
Transition from the grandparent role to parent may cause emotional stress.
•
Contemporary culture is different from when they raised their adult children.
•
Health complications due to aging, lack of access to health care, and increased
psychological distress.
•
Children may arrive with existing behavioral and emotional problems that can
become overwhelmed, anxious or depressed to the grandparent.
Grandparents in the School System
•
Grandparents are most likely to be involved as volunteers in the classroom, field
trips, and in the school yard.
•
School system can gain a better understanding of the dynamic and relationship
between grandparent and grandchild.
•
Administrators and school social workers can help connect grandparents to
community resources and services.
•
Providing information for tutors, mentors and other resources for academic
success.
Goal of the Grandparent Curriculum
The curriculum will provide grandparents with the appropriate skills and attitudes that
promote a healthy development for their grandchildren and educate them on how to
enhance the quality of a family relationship by:
1. Promote an understanding and knowledge of the development patterns and
characteristics of children.
2. Developing an awareness and appreciation of parental roles, including the critical
role parents play in supporting and encouraging their children’s success in school.
3. Teaching skills, attitudes, and understanding related to the discipline, nurturance,
and support of children.
4. Enabling the capability of establishing and maintaining positive communication
between grandparents and grandchildren throughout their development phases.
Grandparent Curriculum will
•
The curriculum will provide grandparents the opportunity to discuss and gain
insight on their new parenting role.
•
Be able to assess grandparents for specific individual needs.
•
Provide interventions to improve family communication and relationships.
•
Be able to identify and build coping techniques.
•
Be able to share their stories and provide support with other peers.
•
Will build knowledge of the availability of services that can help grandparents
meet their needs.
Curriculum Topics
• Parenting the 21st Century Generation
• Emotional and Social Development Young Children
• Communicating Effectively with your Grandchildren
• Disciplining the New Generation of Children
• Grandparents Coping with Stress
• Helping Children Succeed in School
References
Anft, M. (2009). Non Profit Advocacy Groups Take on the Cause of Custodial Grandparents.
Chronicle of Philanthropy, 21(17), 3.
Fuller-Thomson, E., & Minkler, M. (2007). Central American Grandparents raising grandchildren.
Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science, 29(1), 5-18.
Goodman, C.(2005). Latina grandmothers raising grandchildren: Acculturation and psycholgical
well-being. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 60(4), 305-316.
Reynolds, G., Wright, J.V., & Beale, B. (2003). The Role of Grandparents in Educating Today’s
Children. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 30(4), 316-325.
United States Census Bureau (2010 ). Current Population Survey, 2010 American Community
survey, data profile. Retrieved June 29,2011., from
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/datasetMainPageServlet_program=ACS.