A federal task force would be established to explore ways to develop and disseminate resources for grandparents raising grandchildren amid a nationwide opioid epidemic under bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Thursday.
The Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act would establish a task force charged with developing information that helps grandparents navigate school systems, plan for the future, address mental health issues and seek social support networks.
Collins, the chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), the ranking member of the committee, introduced the bill after hearing testimony from grandparents and experts about the lack of available resources during a hearing in March.
“As the opioid epidemic expands, grandparents increasingly are being called on to become the primary caregivers of their grandchildren,” Collins said. “Although this caretaker role can be beneficial for both the grandparents and the grandchildren, it also presents several challenges. Our legislation would spur a federal effort to identify, promote, coordinate and disseminate information, resources and best practices that assist grandparents who are raising grandchildren.”
The task force would be comprised of the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the attorney general, the assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse, as well as additional subject matter experts. The task force would report to Congress on best practices to support grandparents and on any gaps in resources that it identifies.
“The opioid crisis is not only straining families, communities, law enforcement and health care systems, but it also presents new challenges for older Americans,” Casey said. “As older Americans respond by stepping in to care for their grandchildren, this legislation is designed to say that you are not alone and that we have your back, with a focused federal effort to providing the information and supports grandparents need.”
Donna Butts, the executive director of Generations United, said the measure would provide critical direction to help coordinate federal programs that support “grandfamilies” and help children thrive.
“Generations United applauds Sens. Collins and Casey for their leadership in introducing the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act, which is an important step toward supporting the approximately 2.6 million grandparents raising their grandchildren across the country,” Butts said.