Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program Helps Families Prepare for Going Back to School

COURT HOUSE — Rutgers Cooperative Extension Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) held their annual Back to School Bash for the families of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group on Aug. 25, 2016 at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, 355 Court House-South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, New Jersey.
This special Back to School program provided grandparents with valuable information to help them prepare their grandchildren for the new school year. Additionally, Detective Kevin McLaughlin, of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, spoke to the grandparents about security measures in place at Cape May County Schools to help keep children safe while at school. Detective McLaughlin provided insight into the positive steps that law enforcement and school officials are making by working together to ensure that school personnel and students have the tools they need in case a dangerous situation arises forcing a lockdown at school.
The program concluded with each child receiving a new backpack and school supplies donated by the Cape May Oceanside Community Club. Marilou Rochford, FCHS Educator, said, “The evening proved to be very informative for our grandparents, as well as, fun for the children. Besides receiving new backpacks and supplies, the children enjoyed making snack bags for school lunches.” The grandparents also received timely information on immunizations, homework help resources and other topics to help ensure a successful start to the new school year.
FCHS offers educational support group programs for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren throughout the year. The programs provide an opportunity to meet with other grandparents and caring professionals to discuss the emotional, legal and financial issues of this important topic. The next program will take place on Thursday, September 29, 2016. New families are welcome to join the group. In addition to the monthly program sessions, FCHS also hosts “Coffee Fridays” which allow for a more relaxed, informal exchange of ideas. The next Coffee Friday session will be held on Friday, September 30th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For more information about the program, please call 465-5115, ext. 609.
Support for this program is provided by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services, the Cape May Oceanside Community Club, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County helps both youth and adults improve their knowledge and skills, enhance their quality of life, and resolve problems in areas of food, nutrition, health and wellness; food safety; agriculture; environmental and natural resource management; and youth development. This is accomplished through the use of science-based knowledge and university research. Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an education organization within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.