Relatives As Parents
There is an increasing number of relatives acting as parents in the United States and in Pennsylvania. The number of children in Pennsylvania being raised by relatives has been estimated at about 200,000, with that number steadily increasing. There are, of course, many aspects to relatives acting as parents, including the ages of the relatives and their own need for assistance and support. Many of the children have emotional and behavioral problems and these must be dealt with as well. Pennsylvania recognizes the difficulties faced by relatives as parents and is taking positive steps to provide support and service to this group.
The Family Caregiver Support Program may be available to provide assistance to those involved in parenting a relative’s child, also known as Kinship Care. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for more information on the expanded Family Caregiver Support Program. In addition, the Department of Aging has a series of six fact sheets that can be very useful for those involved in kinship care. Topics covered range from finding respite, to support groups and the family caregiver program. Penn State Cooperative Extension Services, through Intergenerational Programs and Aging, provides programs that strengthen intergenerational relationships and also has a data base of over 100 organizations that can offer support and advice in addition to an array of information.
Families seeking information about health and human services in Pennsylvania can find that information through the Help in PA website, or by calling the numbers listed below. Through this special service, information and applications can be obtained for a wide range of programs and services such as the Special Kids Network, Children’s Health Insurance Program, the effects of lead paint, Adult Basic Insurance, and long term living services and programs.
Help in PA Telephone Numbers:
|
1-800-986 BABY
(1-800-986-2229) |
- Love'em with a Check Up Program
- Referrals to Dental Care
- Breast Feeding Information and Support
- Newborn Screening and Newborn Hearing Screening Programs
|
|
1-800-986-KIDS
(1-800-462-2742) |
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Medicaid
|
|
1-800-GO-BASIC
(1-800-462-2742) |
- AdultBasic Insurance Program
|
| 1-800-986-4550 |
- Special Kids Network
- PA Recreation and Leisure Line
- PA FORE Families
- Parent to Parent of PA
|
|
1-800-440-LEAD
(1-800-440-5323) |
|
| 1-800-283-3636 |
- Long Term Living Services Line
|
| 1-800-412-4755 |
|
| 1-877-232-7640 |
|
Other websites with helpful information for relatives acting as parents include:
Intergenerational Support Links
