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Grandparents call attention to essential
role as caregivers, heads of household for
children
In the United States today, more than 6
million children live in households headed
by grandparents or other relatives.
Many of these grandparents and other
relatives step forward to assume the
responsibility for raising children when
their parents are no longer able to do so.
These individuals perform the heroic task of
both keeping their families together and
keeping these children safe.
On September 14, 2005, hundreds of
grandparents, relatives and children from
across the nation were joined by members of
Congress, advocates, and others in
celebrating the essential role that these
caregivers play in providing safe, permanent
families for vulnerable children, and the
unique challenges they face in fulfilling
this duty.
Speakers include:
LOLA BAILEY and BRIGITTE CASTELLANO,
president of the board, and executive
director, National Committee of Grandparents
for Children's Rights
SHAY BILCHIK, president and CEO, Child
Welfare League of America
DONNA BUTTS, executive director, Generations
United
LEE HAMMOND, board member, AARP
MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN, founder and CEO,
Children's Defense Fund
In addition to the participants listed
above, grandparents and other relative
caregivers, children being raised by these
caregivers, and members of Congress have
been invited to speak.
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