Provincial Politics: New Support Line For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Submitted. Parenting is the most important, rewarding and challenging job that most adults will undertake in their lifetime. Along with the joy of raising a child come times of stress and uncertainty. That stress and uncertainty can increase greatly when a grandparent or another relative has taken on the responsibility of
raising a family member’s child.

They may feel overwhelmed by their new

parenting role. They may feel stressed about financial, emotional or

legal concerns. They may have questions about where to get help when

they need it.

Mary McNeil

“Relatives who are caregivers for a family member’s child come from all

different walks of life, income levels and cultures. Although each

family’s situation is unique, caregivers share the need for

information, support, services and resources. This new phone line will

provide instant help and valuable information to caring individuals who

have opened their hearts and homes to a family member’s child.” – Mary McNeil, Minister of Children and Family Development

That’s why the Ministry of Children and Family Development is investing

$100,000 a year from the ministry’s existing fiscal plan for the Parent

Support Services Society of B.C. to launch the new Grandparents Raising

Grandchildren Support Line and email support.

The new line follows through on a request made in 2011 by Grandparents

Raising Grandchildren. The grandparents support group asked the

ministry for a new navigation and education service to provide help and

information to grandparents or other relatives raising a family

member’s child. Recognizing that not everyone is online, especially if

they are a part of an older generation, a phone line was preferred.

Skilled and experienced advocates will staff the phone line and provide

email support to help people understand their rights, obligations and

options prior to and after assuming responsibility for raising a family

member’s child. Staff will also ensure that callers are aware of all

benefits, supports and resources available to them – and how to access

them.

Quick Facts:

* To call the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Line, please

dial 604 558-4740 (Lower Mainland) or 1 855 474-9777 (toll free from

anywhere in B.C.)

* Email the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Service at:

GRGline@parentsupportbc.ca

* The new help line will operate provincewide, Monday-Friday, for five

hours a day. The hours will vary, however, if a client calls when the

line is not open, they will receive a voicemail where they can leave a

message for a call back.

* In addition to funding for the help line, the ministry is providing

the Parent Support Services Society with $10,000 to update and reprint

a legal guide to help grandparents make informed decisions about legal

matters impacting their families.

* Parent Support Services Society of BC is a non-profit, volunteer-

based society which promotes healthy parent-child relationships by

supporting families and communities.

* If a child’s needs are best met by living outside the parental home,

and the parents agree, financial and other supports may be provided to

the caregiver through the ministry’s Extended Family Program.

o Through the Extended Family Program, caregivers may receive monthly

benefit payments of up to $554 per child under 12 years old and $625

per child over 12. Additional benefits are available based on the

child’s assessed needs.

* In May 2011, the B.C. government announced amendments to the Child,

Family and Community Service Act to allow for the transfer of permanent

legal custody of a vulnerable child living with extended family to

those family members without having to remove the child into government

care first. The amendments mean that extended family members will be

able to provide children with permanent homes more quickly and with

less disruption to the child.

Learn More:

* For more information on the Parent Support Services Society of BC, go

to: www.parentsupportbc.ca

* For more information on the Extended Family Program, go to:

www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/alternativestofostercare/extended_family.htm

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect