Why Grandparents Need to Be Involved
In certain cases, the state gets involved with the welfare of a child and grandparents can be a tremendous resource when determining and providing for the child’s best interests. Grandparents can offer their grandchild care, comfort, and continuity.
Typically, grandparents may step in when their grandchild is under the responsibility of unfit or unavailable parents. This could be due to concerns that the parents or other custodial caregivers are:
- Having psychological issues
- In prison
- Lacking stable housing
- Unable to provide for the basic needs (e.g., food) for the child
- Living in unsafe conditions
- Struggling with substance use problems
- Absent
A grandparent’s role as primary caregiver may be permanent or last just until the child can safely return home.