Across
the country, more than six million children -- approximately
1 in 12 children -- are living in households headed by grandparents
or other relatives. The District of Columbia has
more than 113,000 children living in households headed by grandparents
or other relatives. In many of these households, grandparents
and other relatives are the primary caregivers (“kinship caregivers”)
for children whose parents cannot or will not care for them
due to substance abuse, illness and death, abuse and neglect,
economic hardship, incarceration, divorce, domestic violence,
and other family and community crises.
A Look
at the Numbers: Kinship Care in Maryland
The data below
show the numbers of grandparents who are living in households
with at least one grandchild under the age of 18, as well
as the numbers of grandparents who are the primary caregivers
for these grandchildren. These numbers were reported by the
2000 U.S. Census and are available for every place (as defined
by the U.S. Census Bureau) in the country, including cities,
towns, villages, and boroughs, on the U.S. Census website.*
| |
Grandparents
Living in Households with One or More Own Grandchildren
Under 18 |
Grandparents
Responsible for Meeting the Basic Needs of Grandchildren |
| Location |
# |
# |
| United
States |
5,771,671 |
2,426,730 |
| Maryland |
125,697 |
50,974 |
| Baltimore
city |
26,277 |
13,707 |
| Columbia
CDP |
1,217 |
418 |
| Silver
Spring CDP |
1,375 |
463 |
| Annapolis
city |
822 |
367 |
*These data
are taken from the U.S. Census Bureau Table DP-2. Profile
Selected Social Characteristics: 2000.
Kinship
Care Initiatives in Maryland
In Maryland,
public and private agencies and grassroots coalitions of grandparents
and other relative caregivers have begun working together
to expand the services available to kinship caregivers who
are caring for children outside of the foster care system.
Several of
the major kinship care programs and supports are listed below.
Additional support groups can be found through the AARP Grandparent
Information Center Database. Call 1-800-424-3410, e-mail information
requests to gic@aarp.org, or search AARP’s online kinship
care support group database at http://www.aarp.org/grandparents/searchsupport/.
Additional
state and national kinship care resources and supports
are available on the Generations United website at http://www.gu.org,
and GrandsPlace at http://www.grandsplace.org and
Grandparent Again at http://www.grandparentagain.com,
two websites coordinated by grandparents raising grandchildren.
Information
and Support for Kinship Care Families: The
Kinship Care Resource Center of Maryland provides information,
referrals, and support services for Maryland kinship care
families through a central data bank. The Kinship Care Resource
Center assists caregivers and the organizations that serve
them in developing support groups. It also identifies the
most pressing needs and concerns of kinship caregivers by
maintaining kinship care information and statistics for legislators
and other policy makers. Contact: Dr. Earlene Merrill, Executive
Director, at (410) 225-0193 or 1-888-440-0193 or emerrill@coppin.edu.
The website address is http://bluejay.coppin.edu/kinshipcare/..
Network
of Support Groups and Services: The Maryland Department
of Human Resources, Social Services Administration supports
new and existing kinship care support groups throughout the
state. These support groups offer an array of services and
activities for adults and children. Contact: Dianne Timmons-Himes
at (410) 767-7195 or dthimes@dhr.state.md.us or Cynthia Harlee-Williams
at (410) 767-7787 or charlee@dhr.state.md.us.
Coalition
of Kinship Care Service Providers: The Statewide Kinship
Care Multidisciplinary Committee was formed by the State of
Maryland Department of Human Resources Social Services Administration
in 1997 to advocate on behalf of kinship caregivers and their
children. The committee is comprised of private and public
representatives as well as legislators who meet monthly to
discuss current issues and to strategize on how to improve
services for kinship families. Kinship Care Connections
is a newsletter that is published quarterly and distributed
to kinship caregivers, advocates and public/private organizations.
The newsletter provides information from state, local and
community-based agencies. Contact: Cynthia Harlee-Williams
at (410) 767-7787 or charlee@dhr.state.md.us.
Kinship
Care Support in Prince George's County:
Progressive
Life Center Kinship Care Program is designed to provide
counseling and supportive services to families caring for
relative children in Prince George's County. The goal of the
program is to assist families and caregivers in reducing dependence
and involvement on public assistance. Progressive Life
Center's Kinship Care Program offers regular visits with a
caseworker, spiritually- and culturally-focused case management,
parent support groups, family and team meetings, youth groups,
and respite care. It also provides psychiatric consultation,
mental health services, 24-hour crisis intervention and information
and referrals. Contact: Audra N. Gillis, Clinical Supervisor,
at (301) 773-1701 or agillis@ntuplc.org.
Families
Circles Kinship Care Support Group is a support group
sponsored by Catholic Charities. The monthly meetings provide
an opportunity for kinship caregivers to discuss common issues
and share their experiences. Guest speakers are invited to
provide information on specific topics of interest to the
caregivers. Child care is provided for the caregivers during
the meeting. Contact: Deborah Mackell at (301) 568-9529 extension
22.
Rainbows
Grandparent Support Group of Suitland offers peer support
groups in schools, churches and social services agencies monthly
for grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren. Common
issues and experiences are discussed with special emphasis
on grief and loss due to death, divorce or other family problems.
Guest speakers are invited to provide information on specific
topics of interest to the caregivers. Contact: Nina
M. Green, Registered Director, at (301) 736-7032 or anin6@juno.com.
Kinship
Care Supports in Howard County:
Grandparents as Parents (GAP) of Howard County meets monthly
to discuss various issues affecting kinship care families,
such as behavior and discipline problems, communication with
the parents, and legal options. GAP also provides children’s
activities while the grandparents are meeting. Contact: Ellen
A. Willinghan at (410) 719-8871 or (410) 313-1940 or willinghan@msn.com.
Kinship
Care Supports in Baltimore City:
Johnson
Square Grandparents Support Group provides monthly educational
and support meetings to grandparents and other relatives who
are caring for children. Guest speakers are invited to provide
information on specific topics such as financial assistance,
advocacy, adoption, and substance abuse. Child care is provided
while the kinship caregivers are meeting. Contact: Debbie
Rock, Executive Director, at (410) 225-2600 or BPHIVP@aol.com.
Just for
Us Relative Caregivers provides monthly educational support
meetings, luncheons, field trips, and special celebrations.
Guest speakers are invited to provide information on specific
topics of interest to the caregivers. Transportation and child
care is provided for the caregivers. Contact: Meira Hord at
(410) 225-7417 or mhord@coppin.edu; Mildred Smith at (410)
225-7276 or msmith@coppin.edu.
Resource
Parents Projects provides monthly education and support
meetings to grandparents and other relatives who are caring
for children. Guest speakers are invited to provide information
on specific topics such as financial assistance, advocacy,
adoption, and substance abuse. Contact: Angela Rave,
Program Coordinator, at (410) 385-0967.
The Family
Tree provides monthly education and support meetings to
grandparents and other relatives who are caring for children.
Guest speakers are invited to provide information on specific
topics such as financial assistance, advocacy, adoption, and
substance abuse. Contact: Annette Saunders, Program
Coordinator, at (410) 576-2414.
School-based
Supports: Baltimore City school-based support groups provide
a venue where kinship caregivers can receive vital information,
become educated about the school and other systems, and receive
emotional support. The support groups are not in operation
when the schools are closed during the summer months. Below
are six school-based support groups in Baltimore City.
Samuel Coleridge
Taylor Elementary School
507 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Contact: Virginia Lynch at
(410) 396-0783
Harford Heights
Elementary School
1919 N. Broadway
Baltimore, Maryland 21213
Contact: Mamie Teagle at (410)
396-9342
Dr. Carter
G. Woodson Elementary School
2501 Seabury Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21225
Contact: Lauren Ryan at (410)
396-1366
Grove Park
Elementary School
5545 Kennison Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21225
Contact: Joanie Dorsey at (410)
396-0822
Mergenthaler
Vocational Tech High School
3500 Hillen Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Contact: Yvette Jones or Michelle
Thornton at (410) 396-6500
Pimlico Elementary
School
Grandparents Club
4849 Pimlico Road
Baltimore 212225
Contact: Donnie Greene at (410)
542-3377
Kinship
Care Supports in Baltimore County: Grandparents Supporting
Grandparents is a support group sponsored by Baltimore County
Department of Social Services for grandparents who are raising
their grandchildren. The monthly meetings provide opportunity
for grandparents to discuss common problems and share their
experiences. Through the use of guest speakers, information
is provided on various topics related to concerns identified
by the grandparents. Contact: Ann Abramson at (410) 853-3888
or aabramson@dhr.state.md.us; Marty Zimmerman at (410) 853-3903
or mzimmerman@dhr.state.md.us.
Kinship
Care Supports in Wicomico County: Relatives as Parents
offers monthly meetings, advocacy, and information and referrals
to grandparents and other relatives who are caring for their
kin in the Eastern Shore area. Contact: Helen Johnson at (410)
742-0505.
Kinship
Care Supports in Anne Arundel County: YWCA of Annapolis
& Anne Arundel County West County Family Support Center
offers kinship care support groups in Odenton and Annapolis.
They offer parent education, resource sharing, and access
to numerous support services including transportation, child
care and respite services. Contact: Alice Harris, Program
Director, at (410) 551-2411 or aharris@ywca@aac.org.
Kinship
Care Supports in Somerset County: Catholic Charities-Seton
Center Relatives as Parents Program provides community-based
supportive services, advocacy, information, and resources
to grandparents and other relatives responsible for the primary
care of children. As a rural community/neighborhood center,
Catholic Charities has been providing direct service, outreach
and advocacy through a variety of programs. The goal of the
program is to support and strengthen relative caregiver families
through partnerships with other agencies working on behalf
of families and children. Contact: Sister Diane Moore
at (410) 651-9608.
Kinship
Care Supports in Calvert County: Grandparents Support
Group sponsored by the Calvert County Office on Aging provides
monthly educational and support meetings to grandparents and
other relatives who are caring for children. Guest speakers
are invited to provide information on specific topics such
as financial assistance, advocacy, adoption, and substance
abuse. Contact: Taunya Taylor at (410) 535-4606.
Kinship
Care Supports in Montgomery County: Rockville Grandparent
Support Group which is sponsored by the Rockville Senior Center
provides monthly educational and support meetings to grandparents
and other relatives who are caring for children. Guest speakers
are invited to provide information on specific topics such
as financial assistance, advocacy, adoption, and substance
abuse. Contact: Lorraine Schack, Coordinator at (301) 309-3051
or lschack@ci.rockville.md.us.
Model Program
for Government Employees: The Social Security Administration
(SSA) Grandparents' Network provides monthly lunch time meetings
for Social Security Administration employees who are raising
their kin's children. Guest speakers are invited to
provide information on specific issues. SSA Grandparents'
Network also provides a clothing and toy drive during the
holiday season. Contact: Sandy Seymour at (410) 965-3239 or
sandy.seymour@ssagov.
Kinship
Care and Maryland’s Foster Care System
Sometimes
children in the care of the states are placed in foster care
with grandparents or other relatives. In Maryland, the
Department of Human Resources, Social Services Administration,
reports:
Number
of children in out-of-home placements: As of January 2001,
there were 9,937 children in out-of-home placements. Of these
children, 2,353 children (23.7%) were placed with kin who
have been licensed as restricted foster parents.
Preference
for kin in out-of-home placements: State policy requires
that kin be considered first when an out-of-home placement
is sought for a child under the Department’s care. The relative
caregiver must provide a safe environment for the child and
meet all the state's child protection standards.
Licensing
for kinship foster parents: Relative caregivers in Maryland
can participate in the Kinship Care Program or become licensed
as foster parents in the “restricted foster care” program.
All kinship caregivers must go through a formal approval process,
which includes child abuse and neglect clearance, health and
sanitation check of the home, and the fingerprinting of all
adults in the home. Caregivers must be able to provide
a safe environment for the child and meet all the state's
child protection standards. If relative caregivers are licensed
as foster parents, they must adhere to the same licensing
and training requirements and receive the same foster care
payment rate as non-relative foster parents.
Subsidized
Guardianship: In addition to foster care payments and
other benefits available to kin raising children in the foster
care system, some states also have subsidized guardianship
programs. Maryland was awarded a federally-funded waiver to
establish a subsidized guardianship program as a five-year
demonstration project to provide funding for children who
have been transferred from the supervision of the foster care
system to the legal guardianship of relative caregivers. The
subsidy includes medical assistance for the child. The children
must have been in the legal custody of the state for at least
six months and living with a relative prior to the guardianship
arrangement. Reunification with the birth parents and adoption
must be ruled out. Contact: Mildred Gee, Department of Human
Resources, Social Services Administration, at (410) 767-7095
or m.gee@dhr.state.md.us.
State foster
care contact: Questions about kinship care should be directed
to Mildred Gee, Department of Human Resources, Social Services
Administration, at (410) 767-7095 or m.gee@dhr.state.md.us.
Training
and support for kinship foster parents: Anyone seeking
to become a foster parent, including a kinship caregiver,
must go through the training provided by Catholic Charities.
Contact: Deborah Green (410) 385-2715 or d.green@chatholiccharities-md.org.
Other Supports
for Maryland Kinship Care Families
Children raised
by kinship caregivers are often eligible for a range of state
and federal programs. In most cases, kinship caregivers
may apply for these programs on a child’s behalf even though
they are not the child’s parents or legal guardians.
Some examples of these programs include:
Cash assistance:
Cash assistance may be available to children and their grandparents
and other relative caregivers through the Maryland Family
Investment - Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Program.
Kinship care families may also be eligible for food stamps
to help meet their children’s food and nutrition needs.
For more information about these programs, call 1- 800-742-7301
or log on to http://www.dhr.state.md.us.
Health
insurance: Grandparents and other relative caregivers
may apply for free or low-cost health insurance on behalf
of the children they are raising through the Maryland Medicaid
and Maryland's Children Health Program. In some cases,
caregivers may also be eligible for free coverage under Medicaid.
For more information about how to apply for Medicaid, call
1-800-456-8900 or log on to http://www.dhr.state.md.us,
click on “Table of Contents” and then click on “Medicaid.”
For more information about Maryland's Children Health Program,
call 1-800-456-8900 or log on to http://www.dhr.state.md.us.
State Laws
and Policies
Sometimes
kinship caregivers find it difficult to obtain services their
children need, such as medical care or education. In addition
to the state’s child guardianship and custody laws, the following
laws may be helpful to kinship caregivers1:
Medical
Consent (Md. Health-Gen. Code Ann. §§ 18-4A-02 and
18-4A-03): This law allows a grandparent, adult aunt or
uncle, adult brother or sister, or stepparent (or any person
with power of attorney) to consent to medical care on behalf
of a child: (1) after the treatment provider has made a reasonable
attempt to contact the child’s parent or legal guardian and
that person cannot be contacted; and (2) if the parent or
legal guardian has not given the treatment provider notice
that they oppose the treatment.
Standby
Guardianship (Md. Est. & Trusts Code Ann. §§
13-903 and 13-904): This law allows a parent to
file a petition for the judicial appointment of a standby
guardian of a minor to care for the child in the event of
the parent’s incapacity or death. The authority of the
standby guardian becomes effective upon the incapacity or
death of the minor's parent.
