Columbus Conference Helping Kinship Caregivers

Nearly seven percent of Ohio children are being raised by grandparents or other kinship providers. Patrick Donovan with the Ohio Grandparent Kinship Coalition says they often come from situations of trauma or emotional distress and need special support.

Donovan says his organization is part of a conference in Columbus today helping kinship caregivers learn how to obtain health insurance, financial assistance, employment services and mental health care. He says such assistance helps children in a kinship care situation have better outcomes.

Natalie Latham of Zanesville brought her four grandchildren into her home six years ago, and now has legal custody. She says without such help, it would have been nearly impossible to care for the children.

September is Grandparent Kinship Month.