PITTSTON — For 22 years, Howard Grossman has worked tirelessly to advocate for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Despite his efforts, there is still much work to be done.
Grossman highlights that there are approximately 21,000 grandparent-headed families in the Pocono Northeast region, 90,000 in Pennsylvania, and 2.5 million across the U.S. However, the number of support groups in northeastern Pennsylvania is insufficient.
There’s a significant need for more support groups, especially in rural areas, Grossman said. While there are groups in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, we need more throughout the outer counties.
Starting a support group is relatively simple, Grossman explains. It involves just one or two people from a county expressing the need for such a group and then collaborating to establish it. These groups allow grandparents to connect, share their experiences, and find solutions to common problems.
Despite progress in expanding the network, legislative support has been lacking. Funding for grandparents through the Kinship Fund is limited, and Grossman believes more federal and state funding is necessary.
State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, a long-time advocate for grandparent caregivers, will speak at the 18th annual GRG of NEPA conference on October 18 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort. The event, which offers free admission to grandparents, will provide valuable information and resources.
Grossman hopes for increased support from Governor Shapiro and highlights the need for planning in case a grandparent can no longer care for their grandchildren.
Locally, Luzerne County has several active support groups, including those in Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, and Wyoming County. KinConnector, a resource that provides guidance and support to grandparents, is also available.
Grossman aims to establish a statewide GRG conference and believes KinConnector could play a key role in this effort. The upcoming conference will feature resource tables and speakers like David Pedri from the Luzerne Foundation.