Conference to Help Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The second annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren spring conference, focusing on issues affecting minority grandparents and grandchildren, will take place April 19-21, 2007, at the Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church in northeast Oklahoma City.   
The three-day event, titled “Issues in Multicultural Grandparenting,” features more than 20 breakout sessions covering a variety of topics facing grandparents in their parental role. Discussions will include legal issues, available services, sexuality, gang involvement, drugs, spirituality, marriage, self care, the Internet, stress and nutrition.
 
Sandra Cross, executive director of Grand Central, Inc. is the keynote speaker. Grand Central, Inc., based in Philadelphia, Pa., is a consortium of community-based and public agencies serving grandparents and other relatives who are caring for children.
 
Sandy Ingraham, estate planning attorney, will present “Navigating the Legal System” during the extended general session.

A pre-conference session on April 19 will assist professionals and service providers that regularly work with grandparents or other relatives who are raising children.

The luncheon on April 20 will include a panel of elected officials, chaired by State Sen. Constance N. Johnson, focusing on effective advocacy.
 
Other special events will be offered during the conference including a health fair and a resource fair with a number of vendors sharing information about services provided to grandparents raising grandchildren. Also, participants may register in advance for free childcare and adult day care services during the conference.

The event is free. Sponsors include the Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Areawide Aging Agency, Inc., OKDHS Aging Services Division and AARP Oklahoma.

For additional information, contact Lance Robertson at lancerobertson@cox.net or (405) 488-7314.

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