Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
2/5/01
Release: Immediate
Contacts:
Colleen Jolly, Human Development and Family Studies,
515-294-4824
Carol Ouverson, Continuing Education and Communication
Services, 515-294-9640
When Grandparents Rear Grandchildren: National Program Looks at Legal Issues
AMES, Iowa -- Increasing numbers of grandparents find themselves rearing grandchildren, yet many are not familiar with legal options and services, according to Colleen Jolly, Iowa State University Extension specialist in family life.
ISU Extension is downlinking a national satellite program Feb. 27, 2001, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. CST at several county sites. "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Legal and Policy Issues" will explore various forms of informal and formal custody arrangements, the laws and policies that impact custodial caregivers, and how states might design and implement changes in state laws.
"Several states have laws that are not responsive to grandparents' special needs," Jolly said. "The program will include examples of laws that have been designed and changed in some states to make it easier for grandparents to receive legal custody of grandchildren."
The program, sponsored by ISU Extension and several community partners, will originate from University of Wisconsin-Extension in Madison. Current Iowa program sites include these counties: Black Hawk, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Des Moines, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Scott, Story, Wapello, Wayne, Webster, Woodbury and Van Buren.
Program participants can earn continuing education units (CEUs): 3.5 hours of continuing social work education or 0.3 ISU CEUs. For information about location, cost and registration, contact a local county extension office or visit the satellite Web site at http://www.uwex.edu/grg.
Other program sponsors include Purdue University, AARP, the Brookdale Foundation, Generations United, the Child Welfare League of America and the National Association of State Units on Aging.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.