Grandparents brochure - National Center for Family / Professional ...

FINDING INFORMATIONAND SUPPORTNH Family Voices - (800) 852-3345X 4525 or (603) 271-4525Resources, information, referral tosupport groups, books and personalassistance understanding services.Caregiver ProgramNH DHHS, Adult & Elderly Services(800) 352-1888 X 5554or (603) 271-5554Information, referrals and programsto assist caregivers.Service Link(866) 634-9412Community resources and assistancewith public services programs.Having fun with your grandchild isimportant in lessening the stress andsoftening the burden everyone in thehousehold may be experiencing.Playing and laughter on a child’s orteenager’s level can helps usto remember what’s important.Humor is good for the soul,everybody’s soul.NH Family VoicesA Family to Family HealthInformation and Education Center29 Hazen DriveConcord, NH 03301Phone: (800) 852-3345 X 4525or (603) 271-4525E-mail: nhfv@yahoo.comWeb: www.nhfv.orgThis brochure was developed by NH FamilyVoices through a grant from the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services,Centers for Medicaid and Medicare(1LECMS300014)GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildrenwith SpecialNeedsNH Family Voices1-800-852-3345 X 4525www.nhfv.org

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren with Special Needshen grandparents raise grandchildren,W often called kinship care, it is forvarious reasons. As grandparents, we maynot have the emotional or financialpreparation to begin parenting again.When a child has a special needs, be itdevelopmental, emotional, physical, or medical,the challenge of finding and gettingservices to support you can be overwhelming.This brochure is designed to help guidegrandparents in their efforts to raise andcare for their grandchild and to find theneeded resources for the child as well asthemselves.Places to Ask QuestionsSocial Services: Social workers, familyresource centers, and Helplines can bevery helpful in finding needed servicesin your area.Schools: The school can be a greatresource for determining needs and eitherproviding services or referrals. Check withthe school nurse and guidance professionalsfor community resources.Pediatrician/Family Doctor & CommunityHealth Center: Finding a good doctor foryour grandchild who you have confidencein and can rely on for support is worth thesearch. Many Community Health Centersoffer education and nutritional assistance.Programs to Check OutTANF: Temporary Assistance for NeedyFamilies - This program is available to lowincome families and may include cashassistance, daycare and NH Healthy KidsMedicaid for the child. If the householdincome is too high, the grandparent can stillapply on behalf of the child. It is then basedon the child’s income. When applying, agrandparent must prove the grandparent/grandchild relationship through birthcertificates.NH Healthy Kids Medicaid: When childrenare not living with their parent/s, the caregivercan apply on behalf of the child and isbased on the child’s income.Social Security Benefits: If the parent ofyour grandchild has died, you can submit anapplication for your grandchild to receiveSocial Security Benefits. “SurvivorBenefits” are available to family membersof certain deceased workers.Social Security Income: SSI is a form ofSocial Security that allows certain childrenwith disabilities to receive monthlypayments.Developmental Disability: NH has a systemof assistance and supports referred to asArea Agencies. To find the agency thatserves your area of the state call: (800)852-3345 X 5034 or (603) 271-5034.Mental Health: Behavioral/mental healthservices are delivered through CommunityMental Health Centers. For moreinformation contact: Division of BehavioralHealth Children's Administration at (800)852-3345 X 5000 or (603) 271-5000.Legal AdviceMany grandparents find themselves inneed of legal advice and assistance when itcomes to decisions concerning their grandchild.Things like Power of Attorney,Medical Consent, Legal Custody, Guardianship,Adoption and Grandparents Rightscome to mind. Below are a couple of placesto start….• NH Legal Assistance (603) 644-5393(This is the Administration office, askfor the satellite office nearest you.)• Legal Advice & Referral Center (LARC)(800) 639-5290 or (603) 224-3333• Disability Rights Center(800) 834-1721 or (603) 228-0432