The Project provides access to information, highlights resources and encourages community engagement for grandparents who are primary caregivers for their grandkids. Here are some statistics from the Ohio Department of Job & Family Resources:

• Grandparents are filling the role of “primary caregiver” in 10 percent of Ohio households.
• The average age of grandparents raising grandchildren is 55.
• Eighty-nine percent of these grandparents are female; 11 percent are male.
• Fifty-one percent of these grandparents have an income less than $30,000.

The Project is a partnership with several other groups, including an area senior center.

Before library involvement, a focus group was held with grandparents to identify the four session topics: Legal, Education, Emotions, Resources.

An early iteration of The Grandparent Project began in schools and churches; library involvement allowed the Project to grow with more hours, children’s programs and a community location that is open to all.

Many participating families are affected by opiate epidemic.

Grandparents have come from at least five counties in the Toledo area to attend

Participants have reported:

• Improved relationships with schools and administrators
• Participation in library programming for grandparents – including social clubs and playdates with grandchildren
• Access to resources that made their situation easier – for example, learning about the Kinship Navigator program

General program outcomes have included:

• Library working with other groups to identify and share resources
• Grandparents becoming aware of resources and support