Harrison County 1st Annual Grandparents as Parents Seminar:  Parenting Again

September 27, 2018

According to Kyyouth.org, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Kentucky continues to have the highest rate in the nation of children in the care of relatives. In 2016-2018, nine percent of Kentucky children were being raised by a relative, which is more than double the national rate of four percent. The latest data shows the number of children being raised by a relative nearly doubled from 53,000 children in 2013-2015 to 96,000 children in 2016-2018.  Harrison County shares in this phenomenon. Though exact statistical data is not readily available for Harrison County, grandparents/relatives raising o children is apparent byway of the impact on social service agencies, reports from academic communities and contacts made with those affected by the change of residences.

To assist grandparents and relatives who are currently raising children or in the transitioning phases of doing so, the Harrison County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Service, in partnership with the Harrison County Community Action Council and the Harrison County FRYSC, hosted the 1^st Annual Harrison County Grandparents as Parents Seminar:  Parenting Again. During the seminar, 18 participants were able to attend four presentations featuring information on the following topics:  Physical, Emotional and Financial Challenges, Understanding the Legal Journey, Care for the Caregiver and Addressing Possible Behavioral and Developmental Delays of Children Born to an Addicted Mother. Each presenter encouraged, and received, open conversation during each presentation. Six exhibitors were also available with information including Medicare Insurance, Snap-Ed services and Kinship Care from the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services. Of the 18 participants, 12 completed the Seminar evaluation. After the program, participants rated their knowledge gained on the following:

• Trauma and the Impacts on Children                       Quite A Bit (10)                 Some (2)
• Possible Developmental & Behavioral Delays         Quite A Bit (10)                 Some (2)
• Knowledge of the Legal Process                             Quite A Bit (7)                   Some (7)
• Positive Parenting Methods                                     Quite A Bit (10)                 Some (2)
• How to Cope with Stressors while Caregiving         Quite A Bit (8)                   Some (4)
• Expressing Clear Expectations to Children             Quite A Bit (8)                   Some (4)

Participants also indicated that they would share information with others, make use of the legal advice, practice positive caregiving methods and to utilize resources that they were not previously aware were available.