COURT HOUSE –Those who are the primary caregiver for their grandchild, are invited to learn about Rutgers Cooperative Extension Family and Community Health Sciences’ Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group.
The first meeting of the new year will take place Jan. 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, 355 Courthouse-South Dennis Road, Court House, according to a release.
New families are always welcome, and childcare is provided. A light supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the program will follow at 6 p.m.
This meeting provides grandparents who are raising their grandchildren the opportunity to hear directly from other grandparents who are in the same position. They share their stories and experiences with the group.
Marilou Rochford, FCHS health educator stated, “In addition to providing grandparents with information and resources they need to help them raise their grandchildren, one of benefits of this program is that grandparents learn they are not alone.”
The group meets 10 times a year and has been providing educational and social support to grandparents in Cape May County who are raising their grandchildren since 1999.
The goals of the group are to strengthen family relationships, provide educational programs, identify community resources, and improve the quality of life for families.
Rochford added, “I created the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group 20 years ago to educate and support this underserved and growing population. Our grandparents are dealing with many new challenges and one of our goals is to be a source of information and support for them in this endeavor.”
One way we accomplish this is by developing programs based on an annual needs assessment survey. Expert speakers present on topics that include custody, adoption, and guardianship, parenting the second time around, health, nutrition, and wellness, bullying and cyber safety, and drug and alcohol abuse and its impact on families including the trauma it creates. In addition to these serious topics, there are also annual family events such as the Back to School Bash and Family Wellness Night.
There is no charge for this program, however, advanced registration is required by Jan. 11. Call Marian at (609) 465-5115, ext. 3609 for information or to register.
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