RSVP hosting free seminars

Program connects volunteers with kinship caring for youths affected by opioid epidemic

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Lake County is hosting a series of seminars that focus directly on families affected by the opioid epidemic, particularly grandparents who often become surrogate parents of a child or children.

The program, aptly titled “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,” held at Mentor Public Library, aims to introduce grandparents and other kinship to community agencies while shedding light on multiple regional resources available to help with basic needs, including financial assistance and legal aid.

The initiative was launched last fall with three sessions held at Morley Library in Painesville. The pilot program drew over 30 grandparents.

“We purposely started small as we were just bringing the program to the community,” said RSVP Director Cristen Kane. “I had a couple of my volunteers in a two-month

“We purposely started small as we were just bringing the program to the community.” — RSVP Director Cristen Kane

span call me about raising their grandchildren, and they were frustrated, they were at their wits’ end. They were asking what could be done to help them. I realized if I was hearing about this in my little 500-plus pool of volunteers, it had to be a much larger issue.”

She soon called Matthew Battiato, director of Lake County Department of Job and Family Services in Painesville. Kane said Battiato wasn’t surprised that she’d heard such concerns.

“Matt told me (at the time) that there were a thousand grandparents in Lake County raising grandchildren, based on data the department received in 2017 during the children services levy. I really wanted

to do something because I feel a lot of these grandparents are lost.”

The two entities partnered, training RSVP volunteers to help guide grandparents with their specific, respective issues.

Kane said the first steps included brainstorming a few topics, such as public assistance and networking. Finally, hosting free seminars where grandparents and volunteers can connect became a reality.

“The response was amazing last fall,” Kane said. “We outgrew Morley Library, who was an amazing partner, and we wanted to be more center of the county. Mentor (Public Library) was happy to accommodate us.”

The “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” seminars began March 6 with a pro bono legal clinic hosted by Kurt Law.

The other sessions are scheduled for April and May. The sessions are free and begin at 10 a.m. and run until 12:30 p.m. No registration is required. Children are welcome.

• On April 17, several local nonprofit community agencies will share resources available to assist financially and socially with basic needs.

• On May 15, Job and Family Services will discuss eligibility guidelines for public assistance programs available to grandparents and other kinship care situations.

“There are a lot of community resources out there that don’t have the same guidelines and procedures that the federal government does, and you can get immediate emergency help,” Kane said, adding the kinship program is based on the child’s income, not the individual grandparent’s. “And we’re working with Crossroads and the (Lake County) ADAMHS Board on a behavioral health seminar in June, on a date to be announced.”

Other agencies are also facilitating with the seminars, including Lifeline, Inc.

Kane said youths are traumatized because they were living with parents who were addicted, most likely, or have passed away or been incarcerated.

“These grandparents are inheriting these kids in a crisis situation and the kids are coming with bad behaviors. It’s just a whirlwind of a mess, unfortunately. However, after those sessions at Morley, seeing and hearing the responses, we’re really going to keep this going. These grandparents are doing the best they can, but everyone can always use some help.” Battiato agrees. “As more grandparents and relatives find themselves in the position of raising grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins due to the opiate epidemic and other factors, we think it is important to provide information and services to help them,” he said. “Oftentimes it is overwhelming to take on this responsibility and we want to support them and assist them with accessing resources to lessen their stress.”

Volunteers Anne Bandi and Lorna Curtiss participated during the Morley Library sessions, and both feel the knowledge gained by grandparents has been of great benefit.

“In the wake of this epidemic, grandparents finally have an avenue to free, useful information,” Curtiss said. “The more we can get the word out, the more people we can help. This is outstanding community response and RSVP spearheading this is great.”

Bandi added that the seminars also diminish the isolation people may feel in the face of the scourge.

“Being able to talk to others experiencing similar situations really does connect people,” she said. “People are thrust into these situations and many times are unaware of the services available to them. When we held the sessions at Morley, it was eye-opening for a lot of attendees. It’s tremendous and it’s touches you to see that the momentum has started in efforts to help these families.”

Mentor Public Library Main Branch is located at 8215 Mentor Ave.