In this episode of Caregiver Conversations, Kristie and Antonia are joined by Lisa Grodsky, a seasoned expert in kinship care. Together, they explore the challenges faced by grandparents raising grandchildren and other relatives in kinship care situations. Lisa offers advice for caregivers and sheds light on the crucial resources and support needed for grandfamilies. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Lisa discusses how to navigate the financial and emotional hurdles of kinship caregiving, while also emphasizing the importance of self-care and community collaboration. If you’re a kinship caregiver or interested in learning more about the topic, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode, we explore the growing trend of kinship care with Lisa Grodsky, Program Operations Manager for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at OLHSA. Lisa shares her extensive experience advocating for kinship caregivers and highlights the challenges they face, such as financial strain, emotional distress, and lack of resources. We also discuss the importance of community support and self-care for caregivers, along with practical advice for those who find themselves suddenly caring for grandchildren or other family members.
Lisa Grodsky Contact Information:
Email: lisag@olhsa.org
Phone: 248-372-1915
Website: OLHSA - Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Study Summary
Contact Information:
Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative (SRC): www.semisrc.org | Phone: (888) 341-8593
Elder Law and Advocacy Center (ELAC) : Phone: (313) 937-8291, nlsmichigan.org/elder-law/
Kristie: [00:00:00] Welcome back to Caregiver Conversations, where we explore the stories, challenges, and solutions that matter most to caregivers. I'm your host, Kristie King, Executive Director of the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative.
Antonia: And I'm your co-host, Antonia Harbin Lamb, Staff Attorney at the Elder Law and Advocacy Center and Program Manager of the Great Lakes Legal Mediation Division. Today, we are diving into a topic that touches many families: kinship care. This is the experience of grandparents or other relatives who step in to care for children when parents are unable.
Kristie: We're excited to welcome Lisa Grodsky, Program Operations Manager for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at OLHSA (Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency). Lisa has over 20 years of experience supporting grandfamilies and is a passionate advocate for kinship caregivers. She has been a key player in the Michigan Kinship Care Coalition and has contributed to vital reports on kinship care in Michigan.
Antonia: Lisa, we’re so happy to have you here today. Welcome to the show!
Lisa: I’m delighted to be here. Thank you for the invitation.
Kristie: We’re excited. I’ve known you for a few years through my work with the Senior Regional Collaborative, and it's been wonderful to see how kinship care has grown in Michigan, especially with you leading the charge. I truly appreciate you taking the time today, especially with how crazy schedules can get. So, to kick things off, what does the term "kinship care" mean? Can you explain it to our listeners?
Lisa: Well, Antonia did a perfect job defining kinship care, so thank you for that. But to clarify for our audience, kinship care involves relatives and very close family friends who step in to care for children when the parents are unable to. This is not just babysitting—it involves daily, hands-on care because a parent is unable to provide it. For example, military deployment is a temporary kinship caregiving situation, where a family member steps in to take care of a child when both parents are away.
Antonia: So many people may not realize that kinship care is a growing trend, especially in Michigan. According to the GrandFacts Michigan data, over 54,000 grandparents in Michigan are raising their grandchildren. Why do you think we’re seeing this increase in kinship care, and what’s the impact on the families involved?
Lisa: Those are great questions. I think the more data we collect, the more we realize how many people are actively taking care of their relatives' children. The majority of these caregivers are grandparents, and most of them are single women, often raising not just one or two children, but three, four, or five at a time. This uptick in kinship caregiving is extraordinary in Michigan, and it’s partly because grandparents, aunts, uncles, and great-grandparents are now more comfortable seeking support and talking about the challenges they face. Kinship care has been around for centuries, and it really takes a village to raise a child. But in recent years, more families are accessing supports and talking openly about their struggles.
Kristie: Actually, I have my own story about kinship care. I took on the role of a caregiver for my cousin when my aunt passed away. My family decided that it would be best for her to live with me and my family because my kids were the same age. It was an adjustment for all of us, and though we didn’t use the term "kinship care" at the time, it’s a perfect example of the concept. Looking back, I wish we had had more resources and support. What would you say are the top three challenges that kinship caregivers face today?
Lisa: One challenge is dealing with the child’s grief. Children may be struggling with the loss of a parent due to death, incarceration, abandonment, or mental health or substance use issues. It’s extremely difficult for kinship caregivers to provide for children who are mourning the loss of a parent while trying to give them the care they need.
Another challenge is the financial strain. Many kinship caregivers are older adults who are retired on fixed incomes, so the financial burden of raising children can be overwhelming. Social security benefits or pensions are not meant to cover the costs of raising grandchildren. And when caregivers are suddenly faced with the responsibility of raising children, it’s often difficult to make ends meet.
A third challenge is access to resources. Kinship caregivers may need to drive children to appointments, school, and counseling sessions, but many of them face challenges with transportation, particularly if they’re retired and not working. Many of these children have experienced trauma and may require specialized care. In addition, caregivers often face housing challenges, especially if they have to move to a larger space to accommodate the child.
Kristie: What advice would you give to someone who suddenly finds themselves in a kinship caregiving situation?
Lisa: First and foremost, it’s important to understand what kinship care is. Many caregivers don’t even know the term when they find themselves in this role, but being aware of it can help you find resources. Next, know that financial help may be hard to come by, but it’s worth researching. You also need to ask for help. Kinship caregivers often feel isolated, but there are programs and services available, such as food pantries or youth assistance programs, that can help alleviate some of the burden.
Antonia: That’s great advice. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for all the important work you’re doing for kinship caregivers. Before we wrap up, how can our listeners connect with you and access the resources you mentioned?
Lisa: You can visit the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency website at www.olhsa.org. Just type "grandparents" in the search bar to find our services. You can also reach us at (248) 209-2721.
Kristie: Thank you again, Lisa, for joining us today. It’s been a pleasure, and I know our listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of kinship care and how they can make a difference.
Antonia: Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend or fellow caregiver. Be sure to follow us on social media and visit our website at www.semisrc.org for more resources.
Kristie: Until next time, take care and keep caring!