Alabama Launching Pilot Program to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Amid Opioid Crisis

The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) and Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) are collaborating on a new pilot program aimed at providing financial support to grandparents who have taken on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren due to the opioid crisis.
Supporting Grandparents in Need
Nearly half of the children in the foster care system are there as a result of parental substance abuse, as per state data. To address this growing issue, Keith Lowhorne, founder of Grandparents as Parents (GAP), shared his experience of stepping in to care for his grandchildren along with his wife. GAP assists 'grand families' in navigating the challenges of parenthood the second time around, offering much-needed support in managing the financial burdens that come with the territory.
Financial Relief Through Partnership
Recognizing that grandparents and other family members in similar situations lack access to the same benefits as foster families, ADMH and ADSS have allocated $279,071 of opioid settlement funds to help ease the financial strain. The pilot program will involve 3 Area Agencies on Aging within the state, although these agencies have yet to be officially disclosed.
Assistance with Essential Expenses
Using the allocated funds, these agencies will assist grandparents in covering essential expenses such as medical bills, food, clothing, and even participation fees for sports leagues. The process will involve grandparents applying for the funds, which will then be directly paid to the respective vendors. This initiative is inspired by the 'Step Up Parents' program in New Hampshire, which offers financial aid to kinship caregivers raising children of parents struggling with substance abuse disorders. Our state is taking proactive steps to support these unsung heroes in our community, ensuring that they receive the assistance needed to provide a stable and loving environment for the next generation. Stay informed with the latest developments by downloading our news alerts from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or by subscribing to our email newsletter here.