"What we do to our children today, they grow up and do to the world tomorrow!"
Our Programs
When relatives begin caring for a child, they take on the traumas of the child at the same time they are dealing with their own responses to the new arrangement. Many of them are not aware of the legal and social factors that will influence their ability to raise their children.
If this is you, Grandparents Parenting . . . Again, can help answer those questions or steer you in the right direction. It's what we do, and we are the only organization in Sonoma County run completely by relative caregivers who have been there! This is where you can get help, guidance and support. No single county office or other agency can provide this information along with the moral support required to continue managing your day-to-day life.
It's All Relative Self-help Guardianship Clinics
Grandparents Parenting . . . Again facilitates workshops for those family member's that wish to obtain guardianship of a family member's child at little or no cost. These workshops are in conjunction with the Probate Court and the Probate court Investigator's office.
Guardianship clinics are held most Thursday mornings and on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of every month.
In order to attend the clinic the following must be done:
- An appointment must be made at least 7 working days in advance of the clinic you wish to attend.†
- You must have a guardianship packet. This packet is available in room 107-J at the main Sonoma County Courthouse in Santa Rosa. The cost is $10.00. You may also download the forms by clicking here and printing all of the links that come up.††
- Please be sure to get both sides and all pages at each link. Also, please keep the forms in the same order they appear on the main page.
- Arrive at the clinic on time. NO ONE is admitted 10 mintues after the hour.
- Do not bring children to the clinic, they will not be admitted.
† On rare occasions, there may be an availability without 7 days notice, call to check. 707-566-8676
†† We recommend having a "rough" or second copy for the clinic as this is what you will complete in the clinic, then take home to finish.
Relative Resource Support Groups
Our support groups provide a place where caregivers can express their grief, frustrations, anxieties, aspirations and needs, in a caring and understanding environment free from fear of criticism or condemnation.
We currently offer two local support groups:
Santa Rosa
Please call for Days, Times and Locations.
Petaluma
Please call for Days, Times and Locations.
Relative Resource Workshops
Throughout the year we facilitate trainings on subjects of interest to you .....The caregiver!
Conferences
Many things happen when children cannot live with their parents. There is often a period of grief and loss. You may also experience a "testing" period, when children push the limits with their caregiver to see if they will remain constant in their lives. Eventually things settle down into a comfortable routine and the "normal" daily issues of homework, curfews and chores arise.
Often relative caregivers struggle with how to maintain family bonds. Should the children be allowed to visit their parents alone? What might happen if they move back home?
All of these are part of the BIG picture of raising a family member's child. Our conference will help you to successfully manage those issues. Visit our events page for further details and up-coming events.
Family Gatherings
Adults and children can benefit from our gatherings (picnics, potlucks, hoiday parties, etc.) which allow socialization and adjustment to a non-traditional family structure with others in a similar situation.
There are two parties during the holidays, one is a dinner just for the caregivers, and the other is a party for the children where we have games, treats and best of all during the Christmas holiday Santa comes to visit with his huge bag of toys.
For more information about these services please email: grands@sonic.net