Network To Celebrate Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

TAMPA BAY, FL -- The Kinship program of the Children’s Home Network will celebrate all grandparents and relative caregivers raising children in Tampa Bay on Sept. 13 and 14 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Throughout Tampa Bay, children from infants to age 18 have been removed from their parents’ care due to abuse, neglect and abandonment. Many times, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins step in to provide a loving home environment.

About 4.5 million children are currently being raised by grandparents in the United States. Nationally, 26 percent of children separated from their parents live with relatives.

And many of these relatives struggle to find adequate resources to care for their extended families.

That’s where the Children’s Home Network’s Kinship program comes in. Kinship care is the fastest-growing type of out-of-home placement, providing connections to resources, support and guidance for relative caregivers.

Although Sept. 9 is National Grandparents Day, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has officially proclaimed Friday, Sept. 14, “Grandparents Day Celebration 2018.”

The Children’s Home Network’s Kinship program and community partners will host a series of celebrations to thank caregivers who are raising the children of family members.

Hillsborough County events include breakfast, the opportunity to socialize and award presentations. It is being funded by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

Pinellas County events include dinner, door prizes and featured guest speaker, Dr. Willie J.Kimmons of Save Children Save Schools. The Pinellas event is funded by the Juvenile Welfare Board.

The Kinship program serves Hillsborough, Osceola, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas and Seminole counties.

For more information on the event in Hillsborough County, contact Christina Ward at (813) 901-3441 or cward@childrenshomenetwork.org.

For more information on the event in Pinellas County, contact Brenda Annette Royal at (727) 785-2762 or broyal@childrenshomenetwork.org.

Image via Children's Home Network

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