Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Get Access to Additional Supports with Levy Approval

Many seniors and older adults in Franklin County are stepping up to become primary caregivers for their grandchildren or other young relatives, caring for some of the 2.7 million children nationwide who are being raised by older family members.

And with the passage of the 2024 Franklin County Children Services Levy, more of those kinship caregivers are receiving an extra helping hand to cover some of the unexpected costs of caring for the children they love.

“When we support caregivers, we strengthen our community and ensure that both the young and old can thrive together,” said Chanda Wingo, Director of the Franklin County Office on Aging.  

This year, FCCS is doubling the amount of funding provided to the Office on Aging’s Kinship Incentive Program, now up to $600,000 each year, which should assist as many as 300 children each year.

“Children Services understood the needs and recognized that if support was not provided to kinship families, the children were at risk of placement through their agency,” said FCOA Assistant Director of Support Services Caroline Rankin. 

The Kinship Support Program offers financial support to kinship caregivers aged 55 or older who are providing full-time care to a minor child whose biological parents are unable to do so. The Kinship Support Program also helps with a variety of free short-term services that can be accessed once a calendar year, including appliances, infant and toddler supplies, beds and mattress, and utility assistance.

An increasing number of older adults contact FCOA each year seeking help with raising children. That’s exactly what caregivers Krisdon Lynch needed to help caring for her sibling’s 2- and 4-year-olds needs. She stopped working to care for the children full time, has received custody of one, and is awaiting custody of the other. 

“I appreciate everything they’ve done,” Ms. Lynch said. “There is a lot of help out there in the community. I just wish more people knew about it.” 

For more information on this benefit and other resources for kinship caregivers, contact the Franklin County Office on Aging at (614) 525-5230 or visit https://officeonaging.org/fcoa/kinshipsupport.aspx.

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