Community interventions to support grandparent caregivers

Community interventions and service programs for grandparents raising grandchildren are being identified and tracked through the Brookdale Grandparent Caregiver Information Project. Based on the first year's examination of 124 such programs, an overview of community intervention effort is provided, with special attention to support groups and comprehensive multi-service programs for grandparent caregivers. Lack of funding and institutional support, and the consequent inability to provide child care, were among key obstacles faced, while sponsorship by health and social service agencies often played a vital role in providing in-kind support and part-time professional staff.