Finding Help to Raise a Grandchild

Courtesy TCNN

Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild? Other grandparents are doing the same thing you are. They stepped in at a moment’s notice when their families needed help. They put their own plans on hold. They decided to take care of their grandchild when the parents of the child could not. The Comanche Nation Caregiver Program has assistance for Grandparents raising Grandchildren. The Grandparents have to be 55 years and older and the child has resided in the home for at least the most recent six continuous months. Or the child’s parent resides in the home and there is proof that the grandparent has been designated as the child’s standby guardian, or that the parent is a minor enrolled in school or the parent is a minor with a medically verifiable disability that prevents him or her from caring for the child.

The child’s parents are unable to care for the child because of the following: A parent is deceased, a parent is not caring for the child because of allegations of abuse or neglect, a parent has not been involved with the child or has abandoned the child or has voluntarily relinquished custody of the child, a parent is on active military assignment, a parent is seriously ill.

These services are available for you, if meet eligibility requirements: Information to caregivers about available services, Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to the services, Support Services shall include individual counseling, organization of support groups, and caregiver training to caregivers to assist the caregivers in making decisions and solving problems relating to their care giving roles, Respite Care to enable caregivers to continue to provide care for their grandchild, Supplemental Services, on a limited basis, to complement the care provided by caregivers.

The Caregiver Program has applications and can assist you with filling them out and if meet qualifications then we can give you assistance for 12weeks time on an annual basis. The child must be 18 years and younger and must be in school.

For more information call (580) 492 3282 or visit www.comanchenation.com/caregivers/