When family steps in: The joys and challenges of raising a relative's child

When a parent can’t care for a child, family members often step in. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and close family friends become caregivers — sometimes with little preparation or support. They often face unexpected challenges navigating schools, healthcare, finances and the legal system.

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what these families need, how policies can better support them and what each of us can do to help.

Guests:

• Donna Butts is the former executive director of Generations United, a national nonprofit that advocates for intergenerational strategies, policies and programs. She is also the author of the new book, “Grandfamilies: Stories of Children and the Loving Relatives Who Raise Them.”
• Janet Salo is a kinship navigator for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. She helps relatives and close family friends who are raising another person's child find and use financial, legal, medical, mental health and educational support.

For help, call Kinship Family Support Services at 651-917-4640 or 877-917-4640 or email warmline@lssmn.org.

A caller during the show recommended Keeping Families Connected Minnesota, an organization that provides free legal support to relatives caring for children.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.