COMMUNITY OUTREACH: AMAZING GRANDMOTHERS

The Amazing Grandmothers Project began as a one-year endeavor in January 2002, providing services to ten grandmothers raising their grandchildren. Eight grandmothers and over 30 children are still participating.

Services and programs are implemented by nursing faculty and student interns, helping grandmothers as they work determinedly to keep their families intact.

The program targets families with parents who are absent secondary to substance abuse. Interventions include an intensive eight week family support group with a "family dinner and health theme"; separate substance abuse support groups for grandmothers and kids; family reading program with thematic books used later at home to build family time; grandmothers' gardening project; and home visits to address individual health and family needs.