UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- One in 10 grandparents in the United States has been the primary support of a grandchild at some time. Currently 6 percent of children live in a grandparent-headed household. Whatever the reason and situation, these grandparents face a range of difficulties, including legal and policy challenges.

Grandparents raising grandchildren and professionals who work with them may be interested in a national satellite video program originating from University of Wisconsin-Extension in Madison, Wis. on Feb. 27. The program will examine some of the issues that grandparents face and what their options may be. It also will look at ways of improving relationships with agencies and professionals who provide services to grandparents.

The three-hour satellite video, "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Legal and Policy Issues," will be broadcast from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 16 locations around Pennsylvania. There will be no cost to attend, but preregistration is required. To preregister for the site nearest you, contact the family living agent at the Penn State Cooperative Extension office in your county. Some locations also will host activities before the program. Click here to find the site nearest you.

Co-sponsors for the downlink of the satellite program are Penn State's department of agricultural and extension education and the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Specific locations have additional local co-sponsors. The two state sponsors also have collaborated on a statewide survey of the organizations and groups that provide services for grandparents who are raising grandchildren. Results of the survey will be distributed in a resource guidebook at the downlink sites.

The program will explore the implications of various forms of informal and formal custody arrangements; how laws and policies impact custodial caregivers; ways to improve interaction between grandparents and professionals, including lawyers, medical personnel, schools and social service providers; and how states might design and implement changes in state laws.

The overall national program is sponsored by University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, AARP, the Brookdale Foundation, Generations United, the Child Welfare League of America and the National Association of State Units on Aging.

"Almost all of us know a grandparent who is caring for a grandchild," says Mary Brintnall-Peterson, University of Wisconsin extension specialist on aging. "Even though it's a common situation, grandparents say they frequently face challenges in obtaining information and services. Their rights as a grandparent are limited, especially for those who do not have formal custody. There are a variety of options available, but grandparents need to know the implications of each and what would best fit their situation. Taking legal steps is expensive, and few attorneys specialize in custody options for grandparents."

"Grandparents in several states have found that current laws are not responsive to their special needs," says Dena Targ, human development specialist with Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. "Many have been successful at designing and changing laws that make it easier and therefore also less expensive for them to receive legal custody. Some of these examples will be shown in the broadcast."

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EDITORS: Matthew Kaplan can be reached at 814-863-7871.

Click here to see the list of downlink sites and contact persons. A continuously updated list of sites and contacts can be found on the World Wide Web at http://cf.uwex.edu/ces/flp/grg00/g_listsites.cfm.

Contacts: Kim Dionis KDionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax