Foster Grandparents are Essential

Foster Grandparents are Essential and Serve as a Backbone for Children at Risk

By Madeleine Graham?

?“Everyone has a gift to share. When the gift is shared, then the clients shine,” explained Robyn Johnston of the Family Service Agency who serves as the Director of the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) for Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee.?

Family Service Agency?(FSA) is a non-profit social service agency that has been serving the community since 1945. Consisting of eight different programs,1?...Only the Foster Grandparent Program is addressed here as the Family Service Agency serves as the umbrella agency for the Foster Care Program. AmeriCorps serves as a financial arm.?

Seniors 55 and older can serve in the Foster Grandparent Program. There is no fee for the client; however, volunteers are provided a small stipend through AmeriCorps, some gas money and insurance while working, stated Johnston. “The FGP typically serves 186 children annually,” stated Johnston.?

?“AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the Foster Grandparent Program serve children with special or exceptional needs. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve an average of 20 hours per week, tutoring or mentoring children to improve their intellectual thinking, social/emotional, motor and/or language development skills.”?

Further, the children may have challenges stemming from abuse or neglect, perhaps one has limited English proficiency. There may be developmental issues or learning challenges. Other obstacles may be low income, teen pregnancy/teen parenting, or homelessness. Further adjudication/system involvement may be a factor. Medical issues: such as, visual and hearing impairments, speech difficulties or physical challenges may be of concern so addressing these difficulties through teaching is important. ?

At Carman-Ainsworth Education Center, “The children in our program are zero to three. In the classrooms visited, the (children) are zero to two, explained Michelle Pattan, Director/Health Coordinator. “I have worked in Head Start for the past 15 years. I currently oversee 19 staff members, and I maintain the integrity of the federal grant award,” explained Pattan. Transportation is the greatest challenge, stated Pattan. “The majority of the children are from low-income families whose parents are working or going to school,” reflected Pattan.?

“The Foster Grandparents are a wonderful addition to our program not only for the children, but for our staff too. They assist with preparing lunches, they read to the kids, and they also rock in the oversized rocking chairs with them. Having them in the classroom interacting with the children helps the teachers out tremendously. We are very fortunate to have the grandparents we have. I treat them like they are part of the staff because they feel like family,” explained Pattan.?

The role of Foster Grandparent is particularly gratifying because “I don’t have children and helping families by helping children (is rewarding when) the children smile and that makes me happy,” explained Jacqueline Walker, Foster Grandparent, age 65. One of the benefits is, “we’re there to help support and lift children in an area they are lacking in,” explained Walker.?

“Sometimes I get depressed, by me not having children there is an emptiness, but there I feel like I am a part of their life, and it lifts me sometimes when I come into work. When (I) get there and see them (children)it takes my pain away,” explained Walker. When Covid hit, “it was a real downer for me because I didn’t get to go to work.” Walker works M-Th from 8:30-3:00 pm. In the summer, Walker works at the Flint Development Center.?

For some children, the Foster Grandparent is a lifesaver, as some are being adopted. Other children may be in a one parent home, explained Walker. “The volunteer program is something you can do and feel wanted by doing something for somebody.” Sometimes a greeting from a child in a store by saying, ‘Grandma,’” is uplifting, stated Walker. It should be noted, special needs students may remain in school until age 26.?

The Foster Grandparent Program has served Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee since 1978. The program is federally funded through AmeriCorps Seniors in the amount of $77,660 for 12 volunteers and State funded through MDHHS Health and Aging Service Agency in the amount of $239,675 for 50 volunteers, explained Johnston.?

“Sadly, the program in (Genesee, Shiawassee, and Lapeer) currently has no men. The one man we did have was in the program for 29 years before the pandemic and was in his 90’s. He was amazing and had a true gift in working with children! Sadly, he has since passed away,” stated Johnston. ?

Working with people comes naturally, explained Johnston. Early in her career, starting in college, Johnston worked in an adult daycare doing respite for Alzheimer’s recipients.?

Johnston served as Interim FGP Director in 2016-2018, when she was formally made the Director of the program. The value of the Foster Care Program that serves so many here in Flint and many locations throughout the counties is evident by the statistical data provided by Johnston.???????????

The Criteria for success in the FGP, proves justifiable for the program. In a range of 82% to 97% expressed by FGP volunteers the quality of life is maintained as the FGP enjoys volunteering, satisfaction is garnered as the volunteer can see the difference in the lives of the children, the FGP stays active and feels useful when volunteering and there is satisfaction with the position.?

Post evaluations to determine the impact the FGP volunteer had on the children they were assigned to, and the results are startling. In all areas, there were marked improvements, noted Johnston. Tutoring-Elementary Classroom and after school programs: number of children 119....?

The range of improvement with the information provided resulted in a low from 77% to 88% saw vast improvements in listening skills, improved staying on task, able to follow directions, improved honoring routines, improved reading ability while demonstrating gains in academic engagement.?????

As for?School Readiness-Head Start and Child Care Centers: number of children 62. The low area of 65% still acceptable improved in sharing with the range to 100% improved fine motor skills, improved personal hygiene and demonstrated improved social and emotional development.???????????????????????

There is a background check conducted by three agencies National NSCHC, Michigan State Police ICHAT and FBI fingerprints to ensure safety The Foster Grandparent Program, noted Johnston.?

Those interested in volunteering, as there is a great need, can contact the Foster Grandparent Program at (810)257-3779. “We would welcome men with open arms to join the program! They play a vital role!” declared Johnston.

1 https://fsamich.org