Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference Links Resources and Assistance

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- A free conference for grandparents (and other relatives) who are raising grandchildren will be held April 27-29 at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. The church is located at 42nd and Kelley.
“You Are Not Alone,” sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, AARP Oklahoma, Areawide Aging Agency, Inc., and Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, is designed to provide grandfamilies with information and guidance to help them cope with their family and personal stresses. A health fair and trade show, as well as counseling sessions for grandparents and grandchildren, will also be on the agenda. Adult and child care will be available, as well as transportation upon request.

Leslie McKee, Georgia Division of Aging Services, opens the conference at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 27.

On Friday, April 28, concurrent breakout sessions will discuss Internet safety, gang violence, gang participation, drug abuse, support groups and how they work, panel presentations on state resources, spirituality, advocacy, child care programs, and much more. Friday’s luncheon speaker will be Sen. Constance Johnson, who will lead a discussion on advocacy issues. The health fair will run all day on Friday, and counseling sessions will be offered for grandparents during the afternoon.

Saturday’s agenda features additional breakout sessions and also two extended sessions. Sandy Ingraham, a noted legal advisor, will discuss legal issues surrounding guardianship care and how to navigate the state’s legal maze when child custody issues are involved. Rev. Valerie Steele, associate minister at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City, will work with children who attend the conference on building self-esteem.

Rev. Glenn Woodberry, senior pastor at the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, serves as the closing speaker.

To register for this free conference, call Judy Cooks at (405) 521-2281.

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