An introduction to the website: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support

1. An introduction to the website: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Online Support http://www.ext.colostate.edu

2. Colorado Grandparents Raising Grandchildren • Custodial grandparents increased by 73% in Colorado, compared to 30% nationally during the same time period of 10 years • 75% of grandparents are under the age of 60 • 53% are white and 34% Hispanic • 13% live in poverty

3. Colorado Children of Grandfamilies • 51,325 children live in grandparent headed households • Another 19,230 children live with households headed by other • Of these children 28,185 live in household without either parent present

4. Definition of Grandfamily The term “Grandfamilies” refers to families where the grandparent(s) or other relative(s) is raising a child and may or may not have a legal relationship to the child who is related by blood, marriage or adoption. Also known as “Kinship Care”, “Kincare”, and “Relative Care”.

5. Grandparents Step In When. . . • Substance abuse • Incarceration • Child abuse or neglect • Divorce or illness • Employment issues • Family Violence • Death

6. Costs of Caregiving • Financial strain • Stress, isolation and loneliness • Grief, guilt, anger and resentment • Increased health risk for caregivers • Role shift

7. Challenges of Caregiving • Deal with difficult legal issues • Struggle accessing community services • Tested by emotional and behavioral problems of children in their care

8. Literature Review Shows . . .Hayslip and Kaminski 2005 • Social support is critical in protecting against depression, isolation from friends, role overload and confusion, marital and life disruptions . • Grandparents raising grandchildren often “fall through the cracks” of agencies and programs.”

9. In Colorado . . . . • Grassroots efforts have resulted in the creation of support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren • Some support groups have grown to become successful programs, others have disbanded • No state agency connects grandparents to each other and to relevant resources in such a unique and innovative way.

10. Research Suggests . . • Computer-mediated communication for older adults leads to an increase in face-to-face attendance at meetings overtime • Smyth & Kwon, 2004 • Older adults log online and surfed the web more than younger persons • Morrell, Mayhorn, & Echt, 2004

11. Purpose • To create an online program for Colorado grandparents raising grandchildren through which reliable and current research based information can be shared. • To provide an avenue to empower and unite grandparents who may feel isolated, invisible, or overwhelmed.

12. Website Designed for . . . • Grandparents • Kinship caregivers • Service Providers • Extension Agents • Educators

13. What Will I Find at? • Blog • Local Support Group Information • Starting a Support Group in Your Community • Colorado State University Resources • Extension Publications • Other Resources • Frequently Asked Questions • Discussion Board (under construction)

14. Blog • Information on a topic will be posted by Extension or University faculty. Grandparents can comment on what is posted or from other people’s/peers comments.

15. Support Groups • This link provides information on Colorado grandparent raising grandchildren and/or kinship support groups. • A contact person is listed to provide further information. • If you are aware of a support group in your community that is not listed or if you start a new support group, let us know. We also appreciate updates in current listings.

16. Starting a Support Group • Provides useful information on how to start a support group in your community. If you’re a member or leader of an existing support group you may still find the information helpful.

17. Colorado State University’s Resources • Here you will find links to resources and services at Colorado State University that work in a field related to the issues grandfamilies face. Even though they are located on campus in Fort Collins they may still provide services to you/your group.

18. Extension Publications • National Extension Publication • Cooperative Extension’s Educational Responses to Relative Caregivers’ Needs and Concerns: State and Local Networks and Resource List • The resource link is 20 pages and the entire resource can be printed as a PDF or you can select the specific information. • State Extension Publications • Publications from several different state Land Grant University Extension systems' • Newsletters

19. Other Resources • This link provides information about agencies, programs and organizations with resources or services to support grandfamilies. • Four separate links: • Assistance & Benefits • Health • Human & Aging • Legal

20. Frequently Asked Questions • Benefits and Assistance • Child Support • Legal • Parenting • Self-Care • More subject areas and Q & A’s to come in the future

21. Answer Link • The Answer Link logo makes for ease in submitting a new question • Website visitors may also link will to the resources for all program areas that Colorado State University Extension offers

22. Discussion Board(under construction) • Here you can pose a question, provide information on a resource, or share your experiences. • Anyone who visits the website can read your message and choose to post a return message.

23. Evaluation • Google Analytics • Visitors • Time on site • Pages/Visit • New Visits • Student Voice • Initiate 3 months after rollout • Survey of web users • Demographic, Background and Program Evaluation

24. Marketing Tools • Brochure • One Page Flyer • News Release • E-mail Blasts • Power Point Presentation

25. Conclusion Questions? Comments?