Purdue Extension-Dubois County and Ferdinand Library to Host Kinship Care Support

From Local Sources 

DUBOIS COUNTY -- The number of grandparents raising their grandchildren without parental involvement is on the rise.  These children often come to them because of family crisis and the relative parents are not always prepared to deal with the emotional, physical, financial and social hardships of raising children “a second time around”. 

There are numerous reasons for the increase in this relative parent-led family form and often the reasons are intertwined: parental substance abuse, physical or mental health problems, financial difficulties, incarceration, death and deployment.  Whatever the reason, it can happen anytime to any family and the issue cuts across all socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups.

Purdue Extension-Dubois County is partnering with the Ferdinand Public Library to provide Kinship Care Support for families.  Kinship care is any living arrangement in which a caregiver is caring for children who are related to or have a prior relationship with the caregiver without a parent.  Anyone who is a kinship caregiver is invited and encouraged to join us in the Community Room at the Ferdinand Public Library for one of the two scheduled sessions.  The daytime program will be on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 10:30-11:30 AM. The evening program will be Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 6:30-7:30 PM.

The program will offer kinship caregivers support, education and access to resources so they can live happier, healthier lives and can, in turn, raise children who know emotional and physical safety, do well in school and social situations and are prepared to take on the challenges of their new life.

To register for the program, contact the Ferdinand Public Library at 812-367-1671 or Purdue Extension-Dubois County 812-482-1782.  Questions or concerns should be emailed to Jan Dougan at [email protected].  Activities for children will be provided by the library during the caregiver session. Please register any child(ren) and their age(s) with your RSVP for the program.