The Rise of Grandfamilies: A Growing Trend in America

In the heart of New Market, Alabama, laughter and joyful shouts echo through the cafeteria of Locust Grove Baptist Church. Here, a community of “grandfamilies” gathers, a term that refers to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other extended family members who are stepping up to raise children when their parents are unable to do so. This phenomenon is not just a local occurrence; it reflects a nationwide trend where over 2.5 million children in the U.S. are being raised by relatives due to various circumstances, including parental addiction, illness, or other crises.

The Reality of Grandfamilies

At a recent quarterly meeting of the group “Grandparents as Parents,” families come together to share a meal of spaghetti, Caesar salad, and homemade chocolate mud pie. While the children play, the adults engage in conversations that reveal the underlying struggles many of them face. Donna Standridge, a 55-year-old grandmother, shares her story of raising her four grandsons—ages 11, 7, 5, and 3—due to her daughter’s ongoing battle with opioid addiction.

Standridge’s narrative is a poignant reminder of the challenges that many grandfamilies encounter. Her daughter’s journey began with prescription painkillers, spiraling into heroin and eventually fentanyl. “Because of the addiction and being in active addiction, relapsing and stuff when she was clean, it wasn’t a healthy environment for them,” she explains, highlighting the difficult decisions that led her and her husband, Jeff, to take on the role of primary caregivers.

The Impact of the Opioid Crisis

The opioid epidemic has significantly contributed to the rise of grandfamilies across the United States. In Alabama, nearly half of foster care entries are attributed to parental substance use. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for alternative care arrangements, with many relatives stepping in to prevent children from entering the foster care system.

The Standridges, like many others, are part of a growing demographic of older adults who find themselves parenting again, often without the support systems that traditional foster families receive. The emotional and financial burdens can be overwhelming, especially for those living on fixed incomes.

Support Initiatives for Grandfamilies

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by grandfamilies, Alabama has initiated a pilot program funded by nearly $100 million from opioid settlement agreements with pharmaceutical companies. This program, managed by the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Alabama Department of Senior Services, aims to provide financial assistance to grandparents raising grandchildren due to parental addiction.

During a recent meeting, families learned about the potential for receiving one-time payments ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. While advocates acknowledge that this amount may not cover all expenses associated with raising children, it represents a significant step forward in providing much-needed support.

Keith Lowhorne, founder of Grandparents as Parents, expresses optimism about the program. “This is like a dream come true. You’ve got grandparents that are suffering,” he says, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the silent victims of the opioid crisis—children and their caregivers.

The Need for Continued Support

Despite the positive developments, many grandfamilies still face significant hurdles. Standridge, for instance, learned that her family would not qualify for the pilot payments because they do not reside in one of the designated counties. This highlights a critical gap in support that many families experience, as they often lack access to welfare programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Lowhorne points out that many grandparents are living on limited incomes, making it challenging to provide for their grandchildren’s needs. “Some of them are living on $1,500 a month,” he notes, stressing the financial strain that comes with raising children later in life.

A Model for Other States

As Alabama embarks on this innovative approach to support grandfamilies, other states are taking notice. Nevada, for example, is exploring similar initiatives to allocate opioid settlement funds to families raising children affected by the crisis. Advocates like Ali Caliendo, founder of Nevada’s Foster Kinship, argue that every state should consider directing a portion of their settlement dollars to support these families.

“Love doesn’t buy groceries. Love doesn’t get beds. Love doesn’t solve medical issues,” Caliendo emphasizes, underscoring the need for financial assistance to ensure that children can thrive in their new environments.

Conclusion

The rise of grandfamilies is a testament to the resilience of families facing adversity. As communities like those in New Market, Alabama, come together to support one another, it becomes clear that addressing the needs of these families is essential. With continued advocacy and innovative funding solutions, there is hope for a brighter future for both grandparents and the children they are raising. As Lowhorne aptly puts it, “We want other states to follow because other states are just like Alabama. You’ve got tens of thousands of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren with hardly any help, if any help at all.”

The journey of grandfamilies is one of love, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the next generation. As society begins to recognize and address their unique challenges, there is potential for meaningful change that can uplift these families and provide the support they so desperately need.