Resources for grandparents or other older relatives responsible for children.
Local and State Resources
Grandparent's Rights handbook
The Legal Aid Network of Kentucky offers a very thorough 74-page Grandparents' Rights in Kentucky handbook for download (PDF, 608K). "Each year thousands of grandparents and other relatives in Kentucky assume the responsibility of raising children for biological parents who are unable or unwilling or to be parents. The care provided by these caregivers impacts the lives of the children for a lifetime. The Caregivers are confronted by many legal and financial issues. The purpose of this handbook is to offer basic information and guidance to the most common legal issues and information about programs and benefits that may help the caregivers in the role of parent."
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren 
502-452-6341
3640 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, KY
www.jfcslouisville.org
This group is named for grandparents who are raising grandchildren, but welcomes anyone age 55 and above who is raising young relatives under the age of 18. This free support group is open to adults only.
Open Arms Grandparent Support Group
270-737-1687
Lincoln Trail Elementary School, Bardstown Road, Elizabethtown KY 42701
www.hardin.k12.ky.us/ltrail/FamilyResource/openarms.htm
Coordinators: Greg and Laura Cooper
"Modern day parenting is challenging for anyone, and can present special challenges for a grandparent or other relative raising a child for the second time. The challenges you face as a parent again are quite different from challenges of raising your own children."
National and Internet Resources
AARP
www.aarp.org
There is a pretty useful Grandfamilies Getting Started Guide buried deeply in the site, with chapters about
Getting Started
Support
Legal Issues
Finances
Work
Housing and Safety
Health
Education and Child Care
Family Challenges
Maybe other good stuff, too -- search on "grandparenting."
Generations United (GU)
202-289-3979
www.gu.org
"Generations United's National Center on Grandfamilies works to enact policies and promote programs to help grandfamilies address challenges. Despite facing many barriers, research shows that the children in grandfamilies thrive. Caregivers also experience benefits like an increased sense of purpose in life." Extensive list of print resources.
