By Ed Karvoski Jr.
When the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (CSGRG) of Massachusetts hosted its fourth annual conference this year, over 100 attendees were asked to identify what they thought should be the top-five priorities. Among the responses was to hire a commission director – an idea that is now closer to becoming a reality. An appropriation was approved for the CSGRG in the state’s budget, noted John Lepper of Attleboro, who has served as commission chair since its inception in 2009.
“For the first time, the commission has its own line item in the budget for 2016; it is for $80,000.” he said. “Our primary objective will be to hire an individual to coordinate the various activities of the commission. Most of us are volunteers.”
Lepper retired as a state representative in 2008 after 14 years in office. He sponsored the bill that created the CSGRG with firsthand experience on the subject. In 1988, he and his wife began raising two granddaughters, then eight months and 2-1/2 years old.
“They were in a drug-addicted household and we felt their security was in question,” he explained. “The situation was intolerable and we took action.”
Earlier this year a survey was sent to leaders of support groups statewide for grandparents raising grandchildren to better understand the people served by the commission. According to Lepper, the majority replied that they are raising grandchildren because their adult children are addicted to opiate, drugs or alcohol.
“It’s not a scientific survey, but these people know because they talk about it all the time,” he noted. “Right now the increase in grandparents raising grandchildren is primarily due to opiate and drug addiction. This is a crisis that has been building for years and years.”
Among other common reasons grandparents raise grandchildren are a birth parent’s military deployment, incarceration, unemployment, illness or death.
“In Massachusetts 34,000 grandparents are primarily responsible for their grandchildren, and 10,000 of them are doing it without the parents of the children present in the household,” Lepper said. “The problem is larger than the statistics indicate because some grandparents raising grandchildren don’t go near the census taker. They’re suspicious of the government and they’re afraid government is going to interfere with what they’re doing.”
In 2009, the CSGRG conducted a listening tour for grandparents who are caregivers from across the state. Feedback was used to identify the most important issues. Subcommittees or groups were formed.
Among the concerns expressed was the importance of documenting accurate information. Grandparents wanted to avoid getting different information when contacting various agencies, Lepper noted.
“They said that this all needs to be coordinated,” he relayed. “We try to provide people with accurate information through our web page.”
Next, grandparents cited the need to understand legal arrangements.
“It’s important for grandparents to establish a legal status,” Lepper said. “Without establishing some kind of a legal status there are certain institutions that might say you have no right to be making decisions about the child – for example, school and medical decisions.”
The value of support groups was recognized. Among the locations statewide where support groups meet regularly are Arlington, Athol, Billerica, Boston, Braintree, Charlton, Chelmsford, Framingham, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Salem, Southbridge, Stoneham, Woburn and Worcester. Participants are reminded in the CSGRG literature and on its website, “You are not alone.”
“Grandparents get together in support groups so that they can trade information and give comfort to one another in the process of doing what they’re doing because their situation is rather unique,” Lepper said.
Also expressed was the need for financial assistance. The approval of an $80,000 line item is expected to help the ongoing efforts of the CSGRG.
“The economy was in a slide when we established the CSGRG, so I never even asked for an appropriation,” Lepper said. “Now, the commission has its own line item in the budget. If the commission is going to continue and be successful, then it’s time to get somebody as a director in order to make that happen.”
For more information about Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Massachusetts, call 508-771-4336 or visit massgrg.com. The website includes helpful links, a resource guide and a support group listing.
