Grandfamilies Nationally Face Significant Support Gaps, Advocates Say
Advocates highlight that grandparents raising children, known as "grandfamilies," nationwide often encounter substantial gaps in financial and systemic support. These caregivers frequently miss out on benefits available to formal foster parents, despite taking on significant responsibility and saving public funds.…
Lafayette, IN, September 18, 2026 —
Advocates for families are drawing attention to the significant financial and systemic support challenges faced by grandparents raising grandchildren across the United States, a phenomenon often referred to as “grandfamilies.” These caregivers, who are providing homes for children, frequently find themselves without the resources and benefits that are typically available to individuals in formal foster care arrangements.
According to advocates, grandfamilies often shoulder substantial responsibilities for child-rearing, including educational, medical, and emotional support, while simultaneously saving public funds by keeping children out of the formal foster care system. Despite this considerable contribution, they are often excluded from the full range of financial aid and support services accessible to licensed foster parents.
The specific nature of these benefits gaps can include difficulties in accessing adequate funding for child-related expenses, such as housing, food, clothing, and educational materials. Additionally, support services like therapeutic counseling, respite care, and legal assistance may be less accessible or unavailable to grandfamilies compared to formal foster parents.
The issue is underscored by examples like a case in Maryland. In this instance, a grandparent undertaking the care of a child reportedly navigated substantial difficulties and challenges. The trend summary indicates that this caregiving effort occurred without adequate resources being provided to the grandparent.
The name of the grandparent involved in the Maryland case was not provided in the summary. Details regarding the specific challenges encountered, the duration of the caregiving, or any outcomes related to the situation were also not specified. However, the case serves as an illustration of the broader concerns raised by advocates regarding the systemic support deficits for grandfamilies nationwide.
The advocacy efforts aim to highlight the need for policy changes and increased resource allocation to better support grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, ensuring they have the necessary financial stability and access to services to provide a nurturing environment for the children in their care.
Story summarized from the original created by Heather Graf, Shannon Weston on www.wlfi.com, see more information here.
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