Expanding Support Services for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Transcription

1 Expanding Support Services for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren 1

2 2

3 Presenters: Archie Mariano, Caregiver Support Program Specialist Area Agency on Aging, Region 8 Mary Weston, Caregiver Coordinator Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community 3

4 Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., (ITCA) Non-profit corporation Administers over 21 federal, state and private grants and contracts Health, research, and environmental quality Membership of ITCA consists of 21 federally recognized Tribes in State of Arizona. Coordinates meetings and conferences to facilitate participation of Tribal leaders and other Tribal staff in the formulation of public policy at all levels. 4

5 Area Agency on Aging, Region 8 (AAA) The planning and services area for tribal communities served by ITCA. Administers the Older Americans Act, Title III-VII Programs to 17 Tribal governments in Arizona, and Title VI to 3 Tribes. Staff: Director, Aging Program Coordinator, Caregiver Support Program, Public Benefits, and Independent Living Support Program 5

6 Vision Statement A recognized center of excellence for the support, advocacy, information, and programs serving American Indian Elders in Arizona. 6

7 Mission Statement Promoting the highest quality of life for American Indian Elders of Arizona and supporting tribal system development through technical assistance, advocacy, coordination of tribal community-based services and education. 7

8 Who are our clients? 8

9 Tribes of Arizona - 21 NORTH: Kaibab-Paiute Tribe Hopi Tribe San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Havasupai Tribe Hualapai Tribe Yavapai Apache Tribe Yavapai Indian Tribe EAST: Pueblo of Zuni Tonto Apache Tribe White Mountain Apache Tribe San Carlos Apache Tribe SOUTH: Tohono O odham Nation Pascua Yaqui Tribe WEST: Colorado River Indian Community Cocopah Tribe Fort Mojave Tribe Quechan Tribe CENTRAL: Ak-Chin Indian Community Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Gila River Indian Community 9

10 Grandparents as Caregivers In Arizona, more than 52,000 grandparents report being responsible for grandchildren living with them 29% of all GRG live in poverty 21% have a disability 15% are American Indian or Alaska Natives Source: Arizona GrandFacts (2007), AARP; American Community Survey. 10

11 What are we learning today? The Reasons for Grand-parenting What are current funding supports? Available State & Tribal Services & Resources Available Family and Community Resources Some Tools and Skills to remember American Indian Values & Culture roles 11

12 Grandparents / Kinship deal with... State and Tribal Services Issues Tools and Skills Challenge 12

13 Reasons for becoming a Grandparent (Caregiver) Death Economically Disadvantaged Illness Substance and Alcohol Abuse GRANDPARENTS Divorce Incarceration Parent Military Duty 13

14 My gramma and her grandchild 14

15 Challenges of Grandparenting Family Relationships Financial Assistance Housing And Transportation Respite & Child Care GRANDPARENTS Education and Special Needs Work related issues Legal Relationships And Services 15

16 Other Supportive Services for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Quarterly Meetings with Arizona Indian Council on Aging (AICOA), Tribal Program Managers, Caregiver Coordinators and Staff Chronic Disease Self-Management Program- CDSMP (evidence-based) Powerful Tools for Caregivers (evidence-based) Enhance Fitness Program Annual Tribal Family Caregiver Conferences Annual AICOA Conference (22 nd ) Tribal Grandparent Raising Grandchildren Conferences (4 Tribes) 16

17 Available State & Tribal Services Grandparent Kinship Programs / Coalitions (Duet-Phoenix; Family Resource Center-Mesa) Foster & Adoptive Parents Associations Tribal Social Family Services Tribal Family Caregiver Support Programs Indian Child & Family Program, ITCA, Inc. 17

18 Family & Community Resources Schools (sports, music, arts) Tribal Social Services Respite Services Support Groups Inter-generational events Spiritual Wellness Financial Assistance Case Management Services 18

19 Mary Weston Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) 19

20 SRPMIC Senior Services Family Caregiver Support Program Information and Referral Case Management Respite Care Support Groups Training motivational, skill building - Powerful Tools for Caregivers-6 weeks - Healthy Living (CDSMP)-6 weeks Caregiver activities 20

21 SRPMIC Resources Senior Center Services Salt River Health Services, Social Services, Behavioral Health Services Salt River Housing, Legal Services, Schools, Library, Youth Services AAA s, Family Resource Centers State agencies, Veterans Affairs 21

22 Grandparent / Relative Caregivers Issues Consider children to be placed with Grandparents / Relative Caregivers Information sharing about placement, custody, advocacy, resources Financial assistance-food, clothing, furniture, day care (transitioning / maintenance) Legal services-custody, guardianship, adoption 22

23 Grandparent/Relative Caregivers Issues (continued) Cultural training Time off from work Parenting classes for Grandparents & Relative Caregivers at SRPMIC Establish a Grandparents / Relative Caregivers Advisory Council 23

24 New Initiatives Collaboration with community agencies and schools to provide wrap-around services Legal Services-individual consultations and legal workshops being provided Partnered with schools sponsoring Parenting Conference in March 2014 Funded Active Parenting Training for 2x school counselors in April 2014 Establishing Grandparent / Relative Caregivers Advisory Council 24

25 Archie Mariano 25

26 American Indian Traditional Values & Culture Language Tribal teachings Family Bonding Sense of Belonging Spiritual growth Role as tribal community member Tribal ceremonies 26

27 Last, but not least... Keep Learning Ask Questions See Elderly or Senior Centers Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) Offices Caregiver Coordinators Senior Center Program Managers and Directors Community Social Services Programs 27

28 November is National Caregiver Awareness Month 28

29 Ahe hee (Thank you) 29

30 Sources Internet Organizations Local elderly / senior centers See local directory. ITCA-AAA: Family Caregiver Support Program (602) DES Division of Aging & Adult Services (602) AARP Foundation/Grandparent Information Center (866)

31 Contact Information Archie Mariano, Caregiver Support Program Specialist Area Agency on Aging, Region 8 Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., PH: (602) archie.mariano@itcaonline.com Mary Weston, Caregiver Coordinator / Ombudsman Senior Services Division Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community PH: (480) 362-XXXX mary.weston@srpmic-nsn.gov 31

32 Grandparents have to: Learn to become parents, again Secure legal rights / custodies Arrange for health care Gain family support Attain financial assistance Know of youth activities Know community activities Support Groups 32

33 Grandchildren have to: Undergo with the school systems Living the norm Undergo behavioral modification Growth development Environmental issues (transitional process) Cope with grieving (process) Deal with developmental disabilities (sometimes) 33