Sunday, January 23, 2011

KINSHIP INFORMATION EVERY TWO WEEKS

Well, approximately every two weeks. Since we have moved into this new means of communication regarding grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship news, we recommend that folks who are kinship caregivers of children or working in kinship care check back here every couple of weeks. Better yet become a follower of the blog so that you will be notified when new blogs are posted.
New updates as of January 20:

GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Prevention Network in Michigan has substance abuse prevention grants available up to $1500. The grants are available to any volunteer community group in Michigan working on substance abuse prevention within their community.Those interested in applying should first contact Kelly Oginsky, Grant Coordinator, at 800-968-4968 or kellyo@preventionnetwork.org to discuss eligibility.

NO GREATER LOSS - Guidebook to today's Grandparents Rights
Neil Taft is author of the new book discussing grandparent rights whether raising grandchildren or seeking visitation with grandchildren from resisting parents. Neil covers a number of points for supporting grandparents rights including the complete U.S. Supreme Court Troxel v. Granville proceedings document that he says "serves as the standard by which grandparents rights are currently measured in the courts."
Neil manages the website for grandparents rights, www.CaringGrandparents.com . Check the website for more information about the book.

NEW YORK GRANDPARENTS LEGAL RESOURCE
Sharyn O'Mara sent a reminder notice that the Law Firm of Wisselman, Harounian & Associates, P.C. of Great Neck, New York are active in grandparents rights and grandparents visitation and custody cases. Contact Sharyn at 516-773-8300 or sharyn@lawjaw.com. Check their website for information www.lawjaw.com.

A KINSHIP GUIDE TO RESCUING CHILDREN UPDATE
The guidebook for grandparents raising grandchildren and other relatives as parents that we published is still available at www.chicagoroadpublishing.com A Special Sale runs until January 31. The book is also available on Amazon.com at the regular retail price.

Let us know your kinship news at info@chicagoroadpublishing.com and sign up to follow this blog. In the meantime keep up the good work you do.
In peace,
Tita

Thursday, January 13, 2011

KINSHIP BLOG FOR A NEW BEGINNING

The Kinship Care blog will be moving into a new more active resource for kinship caregivers, service providers, and researchers by providing updates as information comes our way. We suggest kinship interested folks check the site regularly for new information as the year goes on. Our best wishes to all of you who work so hard on an issue that is often neglected in the mainstream of human services. To send information regarding your announcements either comment or send to info@chicagoroadpublishing.com . Current updates:

DRUG ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY AVAILABLE
Kinship care is often the consequence of substance abuse and/or mental illness of parents. A valuable survey from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now available. Check the website for more information: http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduhLatest.htm . The two reports of important use for researchers and grant writers in this field are:
National Findings Report with national trends and estimates of rates of use, numbers of users, and other measures related to illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products.
Mental Health Findings presents national estimates of the prevalence of past-year mental health disorders and past-year mental health service utilization for youth age 12 to 17 and adults age 18 or older.

ILLINOIS POWER OF ATTORNEY WEBINAR JANUARY 27
Advanced Directives: Understanding options & pitfalls for persons authorizing others to act on their behalves, Webinar Thursday, January 27, 2011, 3pm to 4:30 pm CST
Space is limited. Reserve for the Webinar at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/866758576
Presented by the Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. to discuss sever case studies involving the Powers of Attorney as tools for good or abuse.

MICHIGAN COALITION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
A major collaborative body that works diligently for children and families in Michigan will hold its annual meeting March 15 in Lansing near the Capitol. Participants are asked to make the date and plan time to meet with legislators after the meeting. To get on the mailing list for more information contact Jane Zehnder-Merrell of the Michigan League for Human Seervices, janezm@milhs.org .

More to come as we all get used to this method of sharing information. For now, take care of yourselves and the children.
Tita