Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to Share Experiences and Needs

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Because more and more grandparents are raising their grandchildren, many of them are finding that the programs and assistance available to them could use some fine tuning.
Grandparents will have the opportunity to share their experiences and needs with lawmakers, policymakers and representatives of the state’s judicial system during the fourth annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference to be held Sept. 14 and 15 at the Conference Center on Lincoln, formerly known as the Clarion Hotel, 4345 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City.

The conference will again focus on issues facing grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. This year, a special evening session is being held on the evening of Sept. 14 to allow grandparents to share their concerns and issues with the people who can do something about them. The session, titled "There Ought to be a Law or a Program," is being hosted by the Department of Human Services Aging Services Division and the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council. It will begin at 7 p.m. in the Gold Crown room.

Topics addressed in conference workshops include: support groups, child sexual abuse prevention, teen health care issues including prevention and access to services, grandfathers as mentors, mediating disputes between relatives, legal issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, advocacy training, dealing with grief issues of both grandparents and grandchildren, assistance with child support, ethic diversity in grandparenting and how to honor the diversity but relate in a changing world, internet resources and financial planning for the future.

More than 20 social services programs will participate in an information fair that will be open before the conference begins each day and at noon. Program representatives will be on hand to provide one-on-one assistance. Mental health counselors will be available on the first day to conduct small group counseling sessions for participants who wish to participate.

Sponsors of the conference, one of the first of its kind in the nation, include the Department of Human Services, Divisions of Aging, Children and Family Services, Family Support Services, the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the Oklahoma City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and AARP.

Registration is $20 and includes a box lunch on both days. For a registration form or information regarding the conference, call the Community Relations Unit within Aging Services Division of OKDHS at 405-522-3073.

Financial assistance is available for qualifying grandparents. To apply, call the number listed above. For grandparents of children with disabilities, call ODDC at 800-836-4470.

Daycare is being offered free of charge for children and adults but must be arranged for prior to the conference by calling 405-522-3073.

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