Many families today are non-traditional and face new challenges in the care of their children. There are more older adults raising their grandchildren without the parent than in prior generations. And parents of children with disabilities face additional issues while they struggle to support the family and maximize their time to provide care. The articles and resources below can help you meet such challenges.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Parents of Children with Disabilities

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Findings from the 2007 Needs Assessment of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren show that those caregivers reported Support Groups as most helpful for learning from each other about how to navigate systems to get supports and resources; hearing from each other about challenges, struggles, what works and what to avoid; and having a place to go for catharsis and support.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

A brochure that lists some things you can do to increase your ability to cope with raising a grandchild.

Child & Family Services

Hawaii State Department of Human Services contracts to provide Support Groups for grandparents and relatives raising children in custody of state Foster Home Services.

A Legal Resource Guide for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
This guide outlines legal options for grandparents, available services and other information that can be helpful in raising a grandchild. Published November 2008 by the Legal Aid Society of Hawai`i.  Funding provided by the State of Hawai’i Executive Office on Aging.

Grandparents Guide to Public Benefits and Services

This chart lists common public benefits programs in Hawai'i with a brief description and contact information.

Hawaii Family Services, Inc. in Waianae has a Support Group for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Phone (808) 696-3482.

Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center (QLCC) currently has the following Support Groups for Grandparents and Relatives Raising Children whose parents are absent.
 

QLCC HONOLULU UNIT
Phone (808) 847-1302
1300-A Halona Street, Hon HI 96817

QLCC KOOLAUPOKO UNIT
Phone (808) 235-7613
46-316 Haiku Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Services Kahaluu, Kaneohe, Kailua

QLCC Windward Unit
Phone (808) 293-8577
53-516 Kam. Hwy, Hauula, HI 96717
Services Kaa`awa, Laie, Waialua

QLCC Waimanalo Satellite Office
Phone (808) 426-1300
41-245 Ilauhole Street, Waimanalo, HI 96795

QLCC HILO UNIT
Phone (808) 935-9381
919 Ululani Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-3922
 

QLCC KONA UNIT
Phone (808) 329-7336
P.O. Box 2819, Kailua Kona, HI 96745-2819

QLCC KAUAI UNIT
Phone (808) 245-1873
4530 Kali Road, Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766

QLCC MAUI UNIT
Phone (808) 242-8888
1791 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793
 

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Parents of Children with Disabilities

Parents of children with disabilities are faced with many challenges. It is very difficult to handle all of the tasks that come with having a child with special needs. There are resources available to help you manage the many aspects of your complicated life. Listed below are resources written especially for parents with disabled children. There are articles, support groups and links to a community of parents who understand what families are facing.

Administration for Children and Families (Coping With Disaster: Suggestions for Helping Children with Cognitive Disabilities)
The publication provides guidelines for helping children with disabilities cope with a disaster. There is information on what reactions to expect from a child who has experienced a disaster. They also offer some strategies to promote coping and information on therapeutic approaches.

Exceptional Parent Magazine
Exceptional Parent is a magazine for the special needs community. It supports parents and professionals by providing information about products and resources related to the care and parenting of children with disabilities and special health care needs.

Special Child
Special Child provides articles for parents of children with special needs. These publications offer information and support to help parents cope with children who have challenges. Read about legal issues, disorders, family concerns and the real life experiences of families.

Educating Parents of Extra-special Children
This site offers information for adults and children with special needs and their advocates. Go to this website for links to information on disorders, legal resources, books, and the latest news related to children with special needs.

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