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"We Have A Great Granny-She Makes Sure Her Job Is Done"

By Dr. Girvan Shirley, Senior Volunteer Coordinator

"My Foster Grandparent is Granny Bing. She decorates
our classroom. She helps our teacher. She likes to stay
late to help. She makes sure her job is done," says
Earnest. Earnest, an Eccleston Elementary fourth-grader,
speaks eloquently for his classmates and hundreds of other
children in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties where
school is anything but traditional except in its role as a
bastion for drilling the three Rs - reading, writing and
arithmetic.

Increasingly, school has become the home away from
home, assuming more and more of the responsibilities once
considered exclusive preserves of the nuclear family. A
striking feature of this growing phenomenon is the
presence of "Grandma" and "Grandpa" in the classroom
working hand in hand with the teacher to nurture and
educate young minds such as Earnests.

"I love Grandma," proclaims Earnest, echoing a sentiment
expressed by just about every child who comes in contact
with a Foster Grandparent. Invariably, each kid has a
ready explanation for the generous flow of affection.
"They (grandparents) seem like they are our real
Grandparents, because they care for us and help us,"
states 11-year-old Devante of the Pine Hills Boys & Girls
Club. Thirteen year old Ben, also of Pine Hills Boys & Girls,
further explains, "Since some people don't have
Grandparents, they act like Grandparents for people."

"I call her Granny because she's like a real Grandmom to
me," 10-year-old Clovis states. "She does a lot of stuff like
making pretty things to put in our class and she brings
goodies for us on Friday." The Eccleston Elementary
student expresses the deep appreciation felt by other
youngsters who've come to associate the Foster
Grandparent with — among other things — the
hardworking, kind-hearted homemaker specializing in the
arts of decorating, cooking and, of course, giving.
"Grandma Robinson brings us cookies and candy for Easter
and Halloween," a Mollie Ray Elementary first-grader tells
us. He notes, however, that Grandma's goodies often
come with a heavy price tag, "You have to do your work
and act right."

Kids of different ages also speak unabashedly of the
tenderness and affection — the hugs, the kisses, the
encouragement and the likes—that invariably accompany
Grandma's homemade delights. "Granny Bear (Blair) tell me
how I'm pretty, and I shouldn't cry," explains 5-year-old
Kim of Pine Hills Head Start. Describing Grandma Johnnie
Mae Williams, 10-year-old Antonio of Southwest Boys &
Girls Club aptly summarizes the children's view of the
"caring Grandparent" they've come to expect at the
schools and other facilities they utilize on a daily basis,
"She always makes sure that you are alright. She doesn't
yell at me."

But for many kids, Foster Grandparents are much more
than a faithful conduit for treats, hugs and sweet talk.
They instinctively perceive Grandma or Grandpa as an
authority figure, a role model, a teacher or a sage to
whom they turn for guidance or direction. "Grandma
Johnnie, according to 13-year-old Chantel, "takes care of
the little kids and steers them to right from wrong."
Eleven year old Bryan, like most other children, relies as
well on the Foster Grandparents "to make kids follow the
rules," especially in the game room where waiting and
taking turns are critical to success.

Children are also generally impressed with Grandparents
who are punctual and reliable, as implied by 6-year-old
Kasey of Washington Shores Elementary School. "I love
Grandma (Johnnie Mae Comer) because she comes to
school every day." In like manner, 12-year-old Stacee of
Pine Hills Boys & Girls Club boasts that "They're (Foster
Grandparents) there when I need them. They help me do
better on my reading; they help me do better in school."
Others praise the Grandparents for helping with
homework, spelling, Spanish or just about anything you
can think of. There are kids, for example, who beam with
satisfaction recounting the joy they feel in having a
Foster Grandparent "just to talk to, or joke around with."
According to 10-year-old Shay, Grandpa Paramore "is
funny and likes to play with you".

Still, there are those, the more introspective who focus
mainly on the intangible values passed on to them by their
part-time surrogates. A common thread running through
Grandma's Training Manual, the lessons promoting
acceptable social behavior, prove to be a welcome
addition to the life experience of many of these
impressionable children. "The Grandparents have a good
attitude," Ben notes. Eight year old Mollie Ray student
Christopher also raves about how "Grandma teaches us to
say 'good morning' and to say 'excuse me, please'".

The perception of Foster Grandparents as role models,
authority-figures and boundary setters is so strongly
reflected in the view of Eccleston fourth-grader, Jamal.
"She (Granny Bing) makes sure that we don't talk loud."
Jamal, like most of his peers, expects Grandma to carry a
big stick without striking a single blow in order to maintain
some semblance of order and structure in an environment
with potential for chaos and personal injury. "She makes
sure that we aren't in trouble," Jamal concludes.

Of all the accolades showered on the Grandparents by
their young admiring fans, none captures the heartfelt
emotions better than the glowing tribute offered by
Stacee. "They are the sweetest people I have ever found
for caring and sharing. They should be world renown; I
think I want to stay with them forever."

Kinship Care: A Program For Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are currently
2.1 million children in the United States being raised solely
by their grandparents. These grandparents are serving as
a safety net to keep children out of the foster care
system. Grandparents raising their grandchildren face
many obstacles that biological parents do not encounter.
These obstacles include the inability to place the children
on their health insurance policies, to obtain affordable
housing in which they can live with the children and to
enroll the children in school.

The stress of caring for young children, accompanied by
their own health difficulties, can be overwhelming for
many older grandparents and relatives, resulting in a
variety of stress-related illnesses. Also, difficult family
situations that often characterize the children's
transition to the relatives' care can create emotional
problems for the children as well as the caregivers.

The need for programs and services for relative
caregivers and the children in their care vary as much as
the individual families. There is no one solution or
response that will "fix" the problems and enable the families
to live healthier lives.

The Foster Grandparent Program of Central Florida has
developed a Kinship Care Program aimed at assisting
grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The
program has an array of services available to these
grandparents. These include an Informational Manual to
assist the caregiver in developing a care plan for the child,
in obtaining necessary information, in contacting
organizations and in obtaining services within the
community; individual counseling to assist the caregivers'
needs and to assist in identifying areas of need; referrals
to help in identifying and contacting available services in
the community; and support groups that provide an
opportunity to meet with other grandparents raising their
grandchildren, have peer discussions, learn from each
other and develop friendships.

Consider A Memorial Gift

A memorial gift to the Foster Grandparent Program of
Central Florida is a loving and lasting tribute.
Remembering a deceased relative or friend helps to serve
the living and less fortunate seniors the Foster
Grandparent Program serves. Memorial gifts can be made
by sending your check to: Foster Grandparent Program,
7400 Laurel Hill Oaks Circle, Orlando, FL 32818.

Kudos And Awards

Oree Johnson, Chairman of the Foster Grandparent
Program Advisory Council, proudly accepted the program's
20th Walt Disney Community Service Award at the Disney
community service awards breakfast and ceremony held
on October 2, 2002. Along with a beautiful trophy, the
program received a check for $3,000.

The Orange County Health & Family Services Department
Community Action Board and Head Start Policy Council
presented the Foster Grandparent Program with their
Community Partner of the Year Award at the annual
scholarship and awards dinner held on October 25, 2002.
Pictured is Program Director, Ann E. Smith, accepting the
award.

A plaque was received from Seminole County Public Schools
commending the program for participation in the Partners
in Excellence Program, a collaboration of business,
community and education to enrich the lives of their
students.