THIS WEEK'S IMPACT: TALKING WITH FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED BY OPIOIDS
|
|
|
Grandparents tell of loss, challenges that come with being thrust into role of raising grandchildren
|
|
|
DHS Acting Secretary Teresa Miller recently joined Governor Wolf and other members of the Wolf administration at Highmark Caring Place in Lemoyne, Cumberland County, to visit with grandparents and hear of their experiences raising grandchildren whose parents have been affected by the opioid crisis.
 “A grandparent who loses their son or daughter to addiction and then chooses to raise their grandchild should receive the resources necessary to support themselves and their family,” Acting Secretary Miller said. “I appreciate any opportunity to hear from these individuals about what they need and how we can help them."
Grandparents from Carlisle, Harrisburg, Middletown, and New Kingston shared how they are raising grandchildren after losing their children or while their child is focused on working toward recovery.
The Wolf administration remains committed to helping Pennsylvanians dealing with the opioid crisis. Visit pa.gov for more information on the state’s efforts.
|
|
GOV. WOLF HEARS FROM GRANDPARENTS WHO RAISE GRANDCHILDREN AFTER LOSING CHILDREN TO OPIOIDS
In Pennsylvania, about 88,000 grandparents are raising 195,000 grandchildren. In nearly 40 percent of those cases, drug or alcohol addiction is the main reason for the children being placed with the grandparents.
|
|
‘I WON'T BE ABLE TO RETIRE': WHEN PARENTS STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTION, PA GRANDPARENTS STEP IN
Beth O’Boyle is raising her 11-year-old grandson because of her son’s struggles with heroin addiction and her daughter-in-law’s bipolar disorder and drinking problems.
|
|
HEROIN CRISIS TURNS BACK CLOCK ON GRANDPARENTS, MAKING THEM PARENTS AGAIN
"I am a broken-hearted, mother-grandmother doing the best I can each day to just breathe, live, survive and raise my granddaughter so this addiction does not destroy us too," said Joanne Clough, who lives in Cumberland County.
|
|
OPIOID CRISIS FORCES GRANDPARENTS TO RAISE THEIR GRANDKIDS
As the opioid epidemic forces increasing numbers of children into foster care or otherwise out of their parents' custody, grandparents like the Krietemeiers are stepping in.
|
|
THE OPIOID CRISIS IS MAKING GRANDPARENTS PARENTS
Across the country, grandparents, extended family, and close friends are raising children whose parents are struggling with addiction.
|
|
|
|
|
