Newsletter #11
Alone We Can Do So Little
Together We Can Do So Much

Helen Keller
Zoom
GRG Support Groups
Many Support Groups for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren are now meeting via Zoom, FaceTime, or other platforms. Please visit www.massgrg.com for a listing of support groups by city/town. If you are unable to find a group in your community, please contact the Commission and we will try to connect you to a group that is meeting online during COVID-19.
COVID-19
Services + Resources Updates
Court
Info and Updates
The Courts have been posting updates regarding the status of emergency and non-emergency court business. If you have pending matters, or if you are considering filing any court actions (guardianship of minor petitions, motions regarding visitation, etc.) you should review the most updated information by visiting www.mass.gov
P-EBT Card
Info and Updates:
For grandparents and relative caregivers who are raising children who were receiving free or reduced school lunch, you may have received a letter regarding the P-EBT program. There have been several updates about this program, including when you will receive the cards, and it is important to review the most updated information by clicking on the button
to the right:
Economic Impact Payments:
Info and Updates
The US Treasury is using a pre-paid card to send the stimulus payment to some for whom it has no bank information. It is a VISA debit card and some may think it is a scam or a promotion. For more information, visit the IRS website by clicking on the button below:
Kinship Navigator is a program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that assists all kinship caregivers (grandparents and other relatives) with accessing services for themselves and the children they are raising.

The Kinship Navigator is available to help you during COVID-19.
Generations United has prepared a suggested list of resources for grand-families in response to nationwide recent events:

·       GRAND Voices Racial Equity Initiative  (Generations United) 
 
·     African American Grandfamilies- Helping Children Thrive Through Connection to Family and Culture  (Generations United)
 
·     Out of Many, One: Uniting the Changing Faces of America (Generations United) 
 
·     Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five  (Zero to Three)
 
·     Youth Changing the World Toolkit   (Youth Service America) 
 
·     10 Ways to Start a Conversation About Race  (Race Forward) 
 
·     Coming Soon:  Generations United will be releasing a toolkit in July featuring grandfamilies-related content on the racism, bias and injustice in the juvenile justice system, policing and courts and how it impacts black and brown boys, men, their families and those who care about them.

"Hate, it has caused a lot of problems in the world,
but has not solved one yet."
Maya Angelou