38-144. Grandparents as caregivers program; administration. - Kansas Statutes

38-144

Chapter 38.--MINORS Article 1.--GENERAL PROVISIONS

      38-144.   Grandparents as caregivers program;administration.(a) In accordance with the provisions of the grandparents ascaregivers act and subject to the provisions of appropriation acts, thesecretary shall establish a grandparents as caregivers program within thedepartment of social and rehabilitation services. The program shall beadministered in a manner which recognizes that:

      (1)   The relationship between a child and a parent differs from therelationship between a child and a grandparent;

      (2)   society and the demands and needs of the members of society changebetween the time a person raises a child and the time the same person raises agrandchild;

      (3)   caring for a grandchild often places additional financial, social andpsychological strain on grandparents with fixed incomes;

      (4)   different parenting skills are necessary when raising a grandchild, andmany grandparents do not possess such skills, are not aware of how to obtainsuch skills and cannot afford access to the services necessary to obtain suchskills;

      (5)   grandparents acting as caregivers need a support structure, includingcounseling for both the grandparent and grandchild, respite care,transportation assistance and child care; and

      (6)   grandparents are often unaware of medical and other assistance, includingcash assistance for which they may be eligible.

      History:   L. 2006, ch. 208, § 3; July 1.