According to Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky, 6% of children in the Commonwalth are being raised by a grandparent or other relative. This is one of the highest in the nation. The Bourbon County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences partnered with the Bourbon County and Paris Independent Schools Family Resource Coordinators to develop a monthly support meeting for relatives as parents (RAP). The interest in the development of this group was based on the increasing numbers of phone calls and contacts in the Extension Office requesting information on resources and assistance for those presented with this unplanned situation. 

RAP has met monthly for one year with an average of 5 relatives raising relatives in attendance.  Four of those in attendance have not missed a meeting in 12 months.  The networking that has taken place has provided 3 children with beds through the “Build a Bed” program, a family court representative has assisted 2 relatives with securing legal counsel, and 6 children received financial assistance with school and medical finances.  

The group continues to meet monthly. A post-6 month survey indicated 100% gained helpful information for specific needs; 100% gained support in securing specific assistance; 72% had utilized legal advice; and 100% had practiced at least one positive parenting method. 

In November 2017 the Paris Bourbon County YMCA approached the RAP planning group about the possibility of adding another monthly meeting of RAP in the evenings at the Y.  They acknowledged the benefits of the program and wanted help accommodate those relatives raising relatives that could not attend a morning session.  The YMCA offered to provide child care for the evening session

The first meeting of the evening session was held on January 24^th.  4 parents attended.  100% of those in attendance indicated appreciation of support for situation.100% felt that they were the only families that had the issues of raising children other than their children.  

“How did you know how much I need this?” was a quote by one RAP attendee.The goal of RAP is to let all Bourbon County relatives raising relatives know that they are not alone and they have a place to network, vent and share their concerns