Resources

By Andrea Ostroy, Kinship Support Specialist, Boulder County Housing and Human Services

There are many resources available to grandparents raising grandchildren throughout Colorado but navigating them can be challenging. Below are some general tips to help you avoid a few of the speed bumps you may hit along the way. Every situation is different so be sure to look within your community for additional resources that meet the specific needs of your family.

1. Find out if your county has a Kinship Navigator or Kinship Support Staff to help you connect with specific community resources relating to grandparents raising grandchildren.
2. As a grandparent raising your grandchild, you may qualify for county, state and/or federal programs including Medicaid/CHP+ and Child Only TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Child Only TANF funds can provide monthly cash assistance for each child in your care. A grandparent’s income is not considered when deciding a child’s eligibility for these programs unless you have adopted the child. If this is the case, your income may still qualify the child for Medicaid, but they would not be eligible to receive any Child Only TANF funds. Medicaid can also be used as a secondary insurance provider to help cover deductibles, co-pays and other fees not covered by the primary provider. Find information on TANF website or contact your local human services agency.
3. When applying for Medicaid and/or Child Only TANF be sure to ask about other programs you may be eligible for such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formally known as Food Stamps), Medicare savings programs (QMB), and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LEAP). Eligibility requirements for each program vary.
4. Ask about scholarships. Often times your grandchildren qualify for financial assistance with camps, recreation centers and other activity based programs regardless of your income.
5. Childcare is one of the biggest challenges grandparents raising grandchildren face. You may qualify for CCCAP (Colorado Child Care Assistance Program) or Head Start, regardless of your income. Also, be sure to check with your city or county for programs like GAP or CLIFF that offer additional financial support. For more information visit the CCCAP website.
6. Attend a grandparents raising grandchildren support group. This will give you an opportunity to meet and network with other grandparents raising grandchildren and learn about resources specific to your community.
7. Many children are living with their grandparents informally. Learn more about filing for adoption, permanent custody or guardianship in Colorado.
8. Contact your local senior center. They frequently have special classes, workshops, and support services for grandparent raising grandchildren and often times you don’t need to be a senior to attend.
9. Can’t find a resource try calling 2-1-1 to access free health and human services information and referral in Colorado.

This category includes websites that provide information and services related to human and aging services in Colorado. Many grandparents need additional support in this area. Many of the listed websites provide search tools and resource locators. To get the most accurate information for your location, you may need to look at the government listing by county or city, as service vary. If this information is not available online, look in your local phone book.

• Administration on Aging
  The federal government agency offering resources for grandparents raising grandchildren.
• American Association for Retired Persons (AARP)
  Provides a wide variety of resources for grandparents, as well as technical support materials to community-based groups and service agencies working with grandparents.
• Colorado Department of Human Services
  Search for services by county, need, and agency to find the resources you need. CDHS oversees all of Colorado’s 64 counties.
• Colorado Division of Aging and Adult
  Colorado Division of Aging and Adult is made up of the State Unit on Aging as well as the 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Find services aimed at keeping older adults independent and in their own homes, such as nutrition programs, long-term care programs, and senior employment programs.
  • Colorado Area Agencies on Aging Centers
• Colorado Gerontological Society and Senior Answers & Services
  Counseling and referral services regarding benefits and awareness for older adults and their families. Counselors work with families to understand the problem and provide options and solutions.
• Emergency Family Assistance Association
  EFFA provides food, financial assistance programs, emergency shelter and transitional housing programs.
• Family Resource Centers Association (FRCA)
  FRCA is a collaborative network of community based family resources. Find resources on topics such as health, social, educational, economic, etc.

Many Grandparents who raise grandchildren often have questions regarding programs and services to financially assist them in the raising of their grandchildren. This category includes websites that provide information and/or services related to financial assistance and benefits in Colorado. Many of the listed websites provide search tools and resource locators. To get the most accurate information for your location, you may need to look at the government listing by county or city, as service vary. If this information is not available online, look in your local phone book.

• Benefits Check Up
  Provides information regarding many assistance programs and how to apply for them, ranging from heating and energy assistance to prescription savings programs to income supplements.
• Care and Share
  food bank for Southern Colorado.
• Catholic Charities
  Search for local agencies and resources or get involved in your community.
  • Denver
  • Colorado Springs
  • Pueblo

• Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  Provides an online search and listing for Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services.
  • Medicare – Information about Medicare billing, eligibility requirements and other Medicare-related information.
  • Medicaid – Provides general information about Colorado Medicaid.

• Colorado Kinship Connection
  The Colorado Kinship Connection website is operated by the Division of Child Welfare Services in the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). The website is intended to provide information and resources to kinship caregivers across Colorado. The Division provides oversight of the children, youth, and family programs administered by county departments of human/social services.
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
  A program through Colorado Department of Human Services. Go to your county department of human services webpage to get information near you.
• Outreach United Resource Center
  Provides resources to help people toward self-sufficiency.
• Social Security Administration
  Supports the public through economic advancement and security. Apply for benefits online.
• Social Security Benefits for Grandchildren
  Provides advice on social security benefits for grandchildren.
• United Way
  United Way is a network of thousands of local organizations. Find information and resources on education, income, and health. The United Way works to create long-term community change. Search for specific resources near you through United Way 211.

Grandparents raising grandchildren need support around receiving health and mental health services for themselves and their grandchildren. This category includes websites that provide information, resources, and services related to general health and mental health in Colorado. Many of the listed websites provide search tools and resource locators. To get the most accurate information for your location, you may need to look at the government listing by county or city, as service vary. If this information is not available online, look in your local phone book.

General and Public Health

• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  Provides an online search and listing for Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services.
  • Medicare – Information about Medicare billing, eligibility requirements and other Medicare-related information.
  • Medicaid – Provides general information about Colorado Medicaid.

• Colorado Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES)
  An educational cooperative that aims to provide high quality educational programs to students in Colorado. Under “members” on their website you can find a list of counties and be linked to county pages.
• Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition
  Provides information and resources about vaccinations for children. Look in your local phone book government pages for additional information about vaccination clinics.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  Includes a listing of all of the department divisions and programs as well as a listing of all state health programs and agencies. Find these listings under the “About Us” tab on the webpage. Look in the government pages of your phone book to find your county health district which will also lead you to health resources near you.
• Plan de Salud
  Family Health Centers serving Weld, Boulder, Adams, Larimer, Morgan, and Logan Counties in Colorado. You can search for providers on their website.
• Su Familia
  Hispanic Family Health Helpline – provides links to health information and services for Hispanic families.
• Women Infants Children (WIC)
  A nutrition program for pregnant and nursing women and their children up to 5 years old. Website provides nutrition and breastfeeding resources.

Mental Health

• Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (COAMFT)
  Provides a therapist locator.
• Colorado State University Center for Couple and Family Therapy
  Provides individual, couple, and family therapy services to students and community members- operates on a sliding fee scale.
• National Mental Health Association
  Provides information, help, and action for those who are either considering or seeking mental health services.

Grandparent caregivers run the gamut, from those who have legal custody, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails, to those who provide care when parents are unable to so or just need a break. Caregiving can be temporary or permanent, formal or informal. Whatever the arrangement, grandparents often have many legal questions. This category includes websites that provide legal information related to raising grandchildren in the state of Colorado. Many of the listed websites provide search tools and resource locators. Educational information provided on this website or any other should not be used as a substitute for seeking sound legal advice. Your situation may require legal assessment or advice to meet your individual needs. Please contact an attorney or other qualified legal advisor in your area.

• American Bar Association’s Center for Children and Law
  The Center’s can provide answers to legal aspects of raising grandchildren and presents the most recent and up-to-date information on ABA-approved standards and policies.
• Colorado Bar Association
  The “For the Public” tab on the website leads to online searches for lawyers, legal assistance programs, and legal resources. The site also has lots of other information about the Colorado legal system and Colorado laws.
• Colorado Legal Services
  CLS is for low-income Coloradoans searching for legal solutions. CLS provides legal advice on raising grandchildren, including taxes and health care. Go to the “CLS Offices” link on their website in order to locate the office nearest you.
• Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado
  Provides civil legal services for low-income people in the state of Colorado. Legal Aid hosts some free Evening Legal Clinic Presentations.