It’s never easy to care for a child.

But it’s even harder if you’re the grandparent or guardian awarded custody after the child loses a parent to death or other unfortunate circumstance.

For those who have taken on the heavy burden there haven’t been many options, but there is now.

Beginning Sept. 24, the Richmond County Department of Social Services, along with the Hamlet Senior Center and Lumber River Council of Governments will host a “Grandparents and Kinship Relatives Raising Minor Children” support group the last Thursday of every month from 10-11 a.m.

The Lumber River Council holds a support group for caregivers already, but it’s more closely tailored toward caregivers of the elderly. Richmond County DSS, Lumber River and the Hamlet Senior Center all felt there was a need for a support group better geared toward the caregivers of youth.

“There’s a need for this,” said Dorraine Saillor, child-only liaison for the 102 children on public assistance in Richmond County. “I think this will be very helpful because so many of them are just lost and having to pull out their old parenting skills and do it all over again. It’s hard on them, not to mention it’s hard financially, and that’s why we’re here. There are a lot of areas this can be helpful for them.”

The support group is intended for grandparents or relative caregivers over the age of 55 who are raising a minor child, or be a grandparent or relative caregiver caring for an adult “dependent child” between the ages of 19-59 with a severe disability.

A child receives public assistance when a grandparent or relative obtains guardianship or custodial rights for a child. The caregivers have to visit the DSS office to get the child signed up for Medicaid as well as a monthly check from the Work First Program, which helps with the cost of raising a child. Six months after the initial application process the family meets with DSS for a review. DSS meets with them annually after that to make sure everyone’s needs are being met.

Saillor already helps the caregivers with anything she can, and will facilitate the support group.

“I’ve helped people fill out paperwork for a loan and helped find a dentist that accepts Medicaid,” she said. “A lot of caregivers are older and things have changed over the years so they’re at a loss. There are a lot of misconceptions about custody and their legal rights and I try and help with anything I can.”

Saillor said she hopes the support group will help with that as well. She said during their first session she’ll ask caregivers to write down questions or past problems so that she can better structure the support group while also bringing in experts that can help answer the questions. She said many of the questions and misconceptions caregivers have revolve around the legal issues of custody, Medicaid concerns and the financial burden of raising a child.

“This isn’t a pity party, but a support system,” said Susan Sellers, director of the Hamlet Senior Center. “It’s a place where they can share anything with each other and support one another. Dorraine will provide speakers to talk on an array of subjects and things to watch out for because this generation is far different than mine.”

“I’m glad we can make this available for grandparents in our county, not just Hamlet,” she added.

Saillor, Sellers and Anne Oglesby, family caregiver resource specialist for the Lumber River Council, coordinated the support group and intend for it to run, initially, until May 28, 2010.

The support group is free, but there will be paperwork for each attendant to fill out during the first meeting.

Interested?

For more information contact Saillor at 997-8471.