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Are you raising a relative’s child? Do you need information about? • Relative Caregiver Support Groups • Legal or Guardianship Issues • Financial Assistance Programs • Social Services for Family Ties Members • Parenting Concerns FAMILY TIES spans the gap between questions and answers! Phone (706) 342-1614 Fax (704) 342-7102 www.morganga.org Family Ties Program 991 South Main Street Madison, GA 30650 Phone 706/342-1614 Fax 706/342-7102 www.morganga.org “Other things can change us, but we start and end with family”. Anthony Brandt www.morganga.org Family Ties Relatives Raising Relatives ---PAGE BREAK--- WHAT IS FAMILY TIES? Family Ties is defined as the provision of full- time nurturing and protection of children by adults other than parents who have a family relationship bond with the children (Child Welfare League of America, 1994). Most of the time nurturing and protection are provided by grandparents and/or relatives when original families are torn apart by substance abuse, incarceration, death, mental or physical illness, AIDs, child abuse and neglect. There are three types of Family Ties care arrangements. INFORMAL CARE: In an informal arrangement, family members become caregivers of a relative’s child(ren) without the involvement of the court or a social service agency. FORMAL CARE: Formal arrangements are made with the assistance of an agency, such as Child Protective Services, which may maintain limited contact with Family Ties Caregivers. FOSTER CARE: Family Ties foster care involves the licensing of relative caregivers as foster parents. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Grandparents or other relatives over the age 55 who have custodial responsibility for grandchildren or other minor children (under the age of 18). Relatives must have a legal relationship to the children (legal custody or guardianship) or are raising the children informally. Relatives must have proof of guardianship or a signed and notarized letter verifying the child(ren)’s residence. Letters are available in the Senior Center office. Children must reside in the caregiver’s home. Children who receive the provision of daycare or afterschool care only, do not qualify. Relatives are the primary custodial caregivers because of the inability or unwillingness of the biological or adoptive parents to provide parental care. EDUCATION Are you a grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling or close family friend caring for children? You are not alone! Grandparents or non-parent relatives in the state of Georgia care for more 113,000 children each year. To give a child a home is an important and personal decision. Many questions and emotions arise: Can I afford another dependent? How can I obtain the child’s medical care? How do I deal with today’s issues? How do I deal with guilt and loss? What community/legal info exists? Should I pursue guardianship or adoption? Our Mission Family Ties, Relatives Raising Relatives Program, provides quality education and support activities to the caregivers of children and youth in out-of- home care, so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth. Created by: M .Mauldin This program made possible through grants and services from Division of Aging/Kinship Care Program, Morgan County Senior Services, Morgan County DFCS, Northeast Georgia RDC.