Generations United 2020 State of Grandfamilies Report
September 29, 2020
On September 29, 2020 our partner Generations United released their 2020 State of Grandfamilies report, focusing specifically on the challenges kinship caregivers are facing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Grandparents stepping up to assume primary care of their grandchildren play an essential role in our society, but they are often not provided access to the resources they need. This report documents those challenges and a strategic path forward to better support all involved. Below is an excerpt of the report, which can be read in full on the Generations United website.
“I think traditionally people tend to think of their own health as being theirs and when you’re in a situation like we’re in you realize that your health is a big issue not just for you and not just for your spouse, but for your grandchild as well. And so then when COVID-19 comes along, now given our age and looking at the statistics of who is likely to be infected and suffer severe consequences from the infection, that raises the stakes of that game far, far higher and of course the stress that goes along with that.” — Mr. Joe O’Leary, GRAND Voice, Massachusetts
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are being told to keep their distance from children, and wave through windows or video call. This is not possible for caregivers like the O’Learys who are among over two million grandparents raising their grandchildren, many of whom are age 60 and older and at greater risk if exposed to the virus. These grandparents spend their days changing their grandchildren’s diapers, helping with virtual learning, and making meals. They are the first line of defense for these children during the pandemic, having stepped in when parents cannot raise children for many reasons, including because parents have died from the virus.
Across the United States, about 2.7 million children live in grandfamilies or kinship families – families in which grandparents, other adult family members, or close family friends are raising children – with no parents in the home.
Kin caregivers, in addition to being older like the O’Learys, are disproportionally Black or Native American and also more likely to be impacted by the pandemic and die as a result. They need help making alternative caregiving plans and accessing services that may only be available to parents or those caregivers who have gone through a formal process to obtain a legal relationship to the children.
COVID-19 is both heightening the challenges of existing grandfamilies and creating new grandfamilies. Parents, such as Ms. Ashley Hannah who is profiled in this report, are dying due to the virus and leaving behind children who go into the care of their extended family. Despite their tremendous loss, the Hannah boys are blessed to have their grandparents. Decades of research proves that being raised by loving kin is the best option for children whose parents cannot raise them, whether due to death, disability, or any other number of common reasons. These children have better outcomes than those who live with unrelated foster parents. Grandfamilies keep children safe, loved, stable, and connected to siblings.
Thanks to Generations United for permission to excerpt this report, which can be read in full on their website.