Foster Grandparent Program
Aging Friendly Innovations:Â Wichita’s Best Practices
The following is a program, initiative, or project, within and beyond the Wichita area, that serve as models to communities anywhere of how to advance intergenerational engagement.
Foster Grandparent Program Wichita, Kansas For more than three decades, the Foster Grandparent Program has been providing opportunities for older adults in Wichita to serve youth with special needs. The program, operated by Catholic Charities, places foster grandparents in volunteer stations such as schools, shelters, daycare centers and hospitals where they provide one-on-one attention to children reading or exercising, tutoring, or even just talking and listening. The program provides nurturing support for youth to help with their physical, psychological, educational and social development, and instills an appreciation for the wisdom and caring support of older adults. For foster grandparents, they are left with the satisfaction of making a positive contribution to the community, along with a number of other benefits such as training sessions, transportation assistance, and meals. Each year, foster grandparents provide more than 100,000 hours of service to youth in the Wichita community, and the program is sure to have continued success in the future.
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By bringing foster grandparents together with children who have special or exceptional needs, the Foster Grandparent Program allows retired individuals to engage in meaningful work that benefits them and the children. Contact |
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By bringing together senior citizens and children who have special or exceptional needs, the Foster Grandparent Program allows retired individuals to engage in meaningful work that benefits them and children within the community.
A Lifetime of Experience
Foster grandparents and children with special or exceptional needs have been a rewarding combination since the Foster Grandparent Program was brought to Wichita in 1977 and Catholic Charities adopted it in 1981. The program was established to give retired individuals opportunities to engage in meaningful work and to contribute to the development children and youth with special or exceptional needs, by giving them positive individual attention. The time spent together gives the grandparents a feeling of being needed.
With a lifetime of experience and a willingness to reach out to others in need, foster grandparents have much to offer. The nurturing provided by foster grandparents helps children make gains in their physical, psychological, educational and social development, and to acquire a better self image. By spending time with older people, children can learn a sense of values and coping skills to help them respond to life’s challenges.
Service to Children
Foster grandparents serve in volunteer stations such as schools, shelters, early childhood programs, daycare centers and hospitals. Each year, foster grandparents give more 100,000 hours of services to children in our communities. Depending on the assignment, foster grandparents provide assistance by:
•Nurturing children through listening, talking, walking or reading
•Providing intellectual stimulation through one-on-one tutoring
•Helping with the child’s daily personal needs, such as feeding and dressing
Benefits
Apart from being able to enrich the lives of children within the community, being in the Foster Grandparent Program has many other advantages, including:
•A stipend of $2.65 per hour is paid to those who meet income eligibility requirements
•An orientation, 20 hours of initial training and an additional 20 hours of training during the first year
•Monthly, supplemental inservice programs about aging issues and various approaches to working with children who have mental, physical or emotional difficulties
•Transportation assistance
•Accident and liability insurance
•Nutritious lunches
•Volunteer recognition for years of service
Eligibility Requirements
Although people of varying skills and education are needed as foster grandparents, to apply you must be:
•Retired, and, starting Oct. 2009, 55 years of age or older (This has changed from a minimum age of 60 years old)
•Enjoy working with children
•Willing and able to maintain a work schedule of 15 to 40 hours a week
•Have an income less than 200% of the poverty level
How Do I Become a Foster Grandparent?
Click here for a foster grandparent application.
Send the application by fax to 262-5356.
Send by mail to:
Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program
532 N. Broadway St.
Wichita, KS 67214
Funding
This program is funded by:
•Sedgwick County Physical Disabilities Mill Levy
•The Corporation for National Service
•Sedgwick County Aging Mill Levy
•In-kind assistance from volunteer stations where foster grandparents serve through the communities in Sedgwick County
