Council of the Southern Mountains

 

Since its conception over three decades

ago, the Foster Grandparent Program has provided young and old the chance to grow together. Together, nearly 24,000 older Americans volunteer as Foster Granparents. They give care and attention every day to more than 80,000 children and youth with special needs.

The Foster Grandparent Program is a

volunteer program that offers seniors age 60 and older a paid non-taxable stipend to serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers for children and youth with special needs.

The Stipend is non-taxable. It is not included in any income calculations relating to receipt of any other benefits by the Foster Grandparent.

Foster Grandparents serve 20 hours per week in community-based organizations such as elementary schools, hospitals, day care programs, after-school programs and Head Start programs.
Foster Grandparents tutor elementary school students to improve reading skills, offer emotional support to children who have been abused and neglected, mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers, and care for infants and children with physical and developmental disabilities. In the process, they strengthen communities by providing youth services that community budgets cannot afford and by building bridges across generations. According to Corporation for National and Community Service statistics, please consider the following:

 

Foster Grandparents work with children and youth who have special needs which may include: Developmental Disability, Emotional Disorder, Hearing Impairment, Learning Disability, Language Disorder, Mental Retardation, Orthopedic Impairment, Physical Disability, Speech Impairment.

• 87 percent of children and youth report showing a lot or fair amount of improvement in their academic performance since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent
• 90 percent of children and youth report showing a lot or a fair amount of improvement in their self-image since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent
• 58 percent of children and youth report showing a lot or a fair amount of improvement in their school attendance habits since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent
• 66 percent of children and youth report reducing risky behaviors a lot or a fair amount since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent
• 66 percent of children and youth report a having kept out of trouble a lot or a fair amount since establishing a relationship with a Foster Grandparent.

 

Special Emphasis Areas- At Risk Youth, Teen Parents, Alcohol/Drug Abuse, Child Abuse/Neglect, Runaway Youth/ Juvenile Justice, Foster Care Children. 

 

Foster Grandparents serve in many roles such as: Active Listener, Companion, Experience Helper, Counselor, Friend, Grandparent. Independent Living Skills, Language/Speech Tutor, Mediator, Role Model, Socialization Skills, Reading and Math Tudor.

 

What Are The Benefits?

Annual Physical Eamination, Daily Meals While In Service, Transportation, Stipend, Accident Insurance, Pre-Service Orientation, In-Service Training Monthly, Annual Recognition, Long-Term Relationship With Children.

 

Counties Served: McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Summers, Wyoming and Raleigh

FGP is a program with the sole intent of providing deserving children with a helping hand in their quest for an education and better life. For more information on being a Foster Grandparent, call 862-3144, extension 232 or 230.

The Foster Grandparent Program plays a very important role in Energy Express Program.  The program is a six week learning experience for children living in rural and low-income communities.  Some of the activities for "grannies" may include but not limited to:  friend, grandparent, tutor, mentor, role model, experienced helper, active listener and companion.

 

10 Foster Grandparents were placed at various sites throughout McDowell and Mercer Counties for 20 hours a week to provide one-on-one assistance to 40 children in read aloud activities, participating with family style meals, helping children with art activities, listening to children read and sharing their special interests.

 

The anticipated impact of having these Foster Grandparent Volunteers involved  in these summer activities will help these children maintain their reading levels and keep them from falling behind their peers.    This intervention will also allow them the opportunity to receive nutritional family style meals that will improve social compentencies resulting in improved self-care.