2002 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2002

September Symposium Set for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Grandparents raising grandchildren are invited to attend a Symposium on Policies and Programs affecting them from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on September 10, 2002, at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Headquarters, 300 E. Randolph Street, Chicago.

"The 2000 Census reported over 213,000 Illinois children under the age of 18 are living in grandparent–headed homes," said Margo E. Schreiber, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging. "We want to do more to address the needs of these grandparents who are selflessly trying to provide a stable environment for their grandchildren."

Three panels consisting of grandparents, program personnel and advocates will discuss issues, examine the effectiveness of existing programs, identify gaps in services, and propose suggestions to revise or implement programs and legislation to address the needs of grandparents raising grandchildren.

"I strongly encourage grandparents raising grandchildren to attend this symposium and help us to improve or develop public policies affecting them," Schreiber said. "We are reaching out to serve this growing population, and need to hear what they are experiencing first-hand."

Advance registration is required and participants will be asked to provide picture identification upon check–in. Parking is available at a daily rate of $10 at the Monroe Parking Garage on Columbus Avenue (between Randolph and Washington streets). For registration forms, call Barbara Schwartz at 217/524-5327. The deadline to register is September 6th.

The Symposium on Policies and Programs for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging, in partnership with the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and the Illinois Task Force on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

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Contact

For more information about the Symposium for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, call the Illinois Department on Aging's Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 (Voice and TTY).