by Elizabeth Burnett, Care Coordinator

Across the country, more and more grandparents and older relatives are stepping in to raise children when parents are unable to do so. Known as grandfamilies or kinship families, these households face unique challenges—emotional, financial, and logistical.

To help meet these challenges, Senior Services of Midland County offers the Kinship Program—a limited financial assistance fund for older adults aged 55 or older who are the primary caregivers for a grandchild or another family member age 18 or younger. This support can help cover school supplies, clothing, household needs, or other essential expenses throughout the year.

While not all older caregivers need financial assistance, for those who do, the Kinship Program can offer meaningful relief during times of increased need, such as back-to-school season, holidays, or when unexpected costs arise.

I have had many opportunities to help Midland County residents and their families during the past 8 years as a Care Coordinator. One that was memorable and rewarding was meeting a family at a local store to help with clothing purchases. Kinship funds can be accessed throughout the year, but in this particular household, we applied for Kinship before school resumed in the fall.

The Need is Growing
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 2.3 million grandparents across the country are responsible for their grandchildren’s basic needs. In Michigan alone, over 66,000 children live in homes headed by a grandparent, and many of these caregivers are living on fixed incomes.

Raising children later in life can bring joy and meaning, but it also brings added stress. Whether it’s the cost of new clothes, the need for extra groceries, or transportation to school events and medical appointments, these hidden expenses can quickly add up.

How to Get Help
If you are a Midland County resident aged 55+ and are raising a grandchild or other young relative, we encourage you to reach out. You may be eligible for Kinship funds that can help ease the financial burden and provide a bit of extra support when you need it most.

Call us at (989) 633-3700 to learn more about the Kinship Program and how we can help.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and AARP.