The number of grandparents raising grandchildren is on the rise according to Duet, a Valley nonprofit that supports grandfamilies. Respite money is one of the services Duet offers these families.
The reason why Duets provides these respite dollars is because many grandparents raising grandkids live below the poverty line, according to the nonprofit group, Generations United. Shelley Everson is with Duet.
"And respite can be anything from the grandparent wanting to send their grandchild to, for example ... a summer day camp, to an after school program, to a sports program," she said.
Lawmakers had tried to pass a measure that would have provided full foster care benefits to grandparents, but the bill died. Last year, Duet spent more than $7400 on respite for grandfamilies.
