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Marquette Elder's Advisor Volume 4 Article 3 Issue 1 Summer

Grandparent Involvement in Welfare Intervention With Grandchildren James W. Gladstone McMaster University

Ralph A. Brown McMaster University

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Repository Citation Gladstone, James W. and Brown, Ralph A. (2002) " Involvement in Child Welfare Intervention With Grandchildren," Marquette Elder's Advisor: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 3. Available at: http://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/elders/vol4/iss1/3

This Featured Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Marquette Law Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Marquette Elder's Advisor by an authorized administrator of Marquette Law Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Grandparent Involvement in Child Welfare Intervention With Grandchildren

This article discusses the increasingrole tudies show that care or relative has increased in the United grandparentsare playing in kinship States over the past 15 years, especially among African-American .' Child care, or foster care of their welfare agencies place children with rela- tives for the same reasons that placements are made grandchildren.It examines the support in other types of care arrangements, namely that par- ents are unable to care for their children because of grandparentsprovide to grandchildren substance abuse, poverty, and the incidence of HIV/ AIDS.2 While relatives are usually commited to long- who are receiving services from child term care,' they rarely want to pursue a permanency goal of . Moreover, although the financial welfare agencies, the circumstances burden of caring for a relative's child is often heavy, child welfare workers usually consider surroundinggrandparents' involvement to provide good care.s While the literature on inclusive care and kin- with these agencies, and the ship care refers to family, there has been little direct mention of as a resource. The grand- relationships between grandptrentsand -caregiving literature, on the other hand, shows that grandparents may take active roles in raising social workers. their grandchildren when the grandchildren's are unable to do so. Pearson, Hunter, Cook, Ialongo, and Kellam, 6 for example, found that the degree of By James W. Gladstone and involvement that grandmothers had in raising their Ralph A. Brown grandchildren was related to the absence of their children in their grandchildren's . This, in turn, may come about because of a child's alcohol or drug abuse, teen pregnancy, incarceration of the child, and the AIDS epidemic. Studies have also

James W Gladstone, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Social Work at McMaster University, Ontario, . His research interests primarily focus on the family and the ways that relationships are negotiated between families and larger systems. Ralph A. Brown, D.S.W, R.S.W is currently the Director and Professor in the McMaster University School of Social Work. His research interests are in the areas of social policy and practice pertaining to families and children, with emphasis on "hard-to-serve" children and family violence.

11 12 I Elder's Advisor found that grandparents who become primary Grandparents and social workers were asked caregivers for their grandchildren are more likely to about their involvement with one another and what be single, African-American, and living in poverty.' they thought made their relationships positive or Grandparents who are primary caregivers often negative. Grandparents were also asked about the face a number of challenges. Studies have reported type of involvement that they had with their grand- higher rates of depression, health problems, and fa- children. tigue among caregiving grandparents, as compared to others their age. Grandparents often have less time Findings for themselves, their social contacts become limited, Type of Support Provided to Grandchildren and economic pressures may increase if they are By Grandparents forced to quit their jobs, reduce their work hours, or 9 Grandparents provided various types of support to stretch their financial resources. Custodial grand- their grandchildren. These included instrumental and parents may experience even more psychological emotional support. Grandparents, for example, pre- distress when grandchildren exhibit emotional or 0 pared meals, bathed their grandchildren, and took behavioral problems.' Nevertheless, being a primary them to the doctor and dentist. They also represented can also be rewarding. Grandparents have a sense of stability and consistency to their grand- reported a sense of satisfaction that they can "be children by maintaining routines, calming their there" for their grandchildren and they gain a strong grandchildren's fears, and acting as confidantes. One sense of purpose by being so actively involved in the grandmother, for example, referring to her grand- lives of their grandchildren." who had been sexually abused, stated: This paper begins to look at the interaction that grandparents have with grandchildren who are in- She me, I her. During the day she laughs, volved with child welfare agencies, as well as the but it's the bedtime. At one point, she wouldn't sleep interaction that grandparents have with these agen- in her room. She would want to sleep on the floor in cies themselves. Learning more about the relation- my room or in bed beside me. She'd say "Nanna, I ships that grandparents have with child welfare agen- don't want to sleep in there" because she had a fear of cies will help identify ways that grandparents and someone coming in and taking her. I'll sit and read her child welfare professionals can work cooperatively, four or five stories. In fact, I've sat there while she's rather than at cross-purposes, for the benefit and "in sleeping and kept right on reading just to make sure the best interests" of the grandchild. that she is sleeping. That's how I do it.

Method Grandparents spent time with their grandchil- Qualitative data were collected from ten grandpar- dren, for example, taking them to the park, on ents and ten social workers through personal, outings, to McDonalds, and talking, singing, and in-depth interviews. Each of the grandparents, nine reading to them. Grandparents also provided guid- grandmothers and one grandfather, had a grandchild ance. They taught their grandchildren life skills, receiving service from a child welfare agency in helped them with their homework, and offered help Ontario, Canada. The ten social workers who took with anger management. part in the study also worked for this agency. Several factors were perceived by grandparents Interviews took approximately one hour to com- to mediate the amount and type of support that they plete. Grandparent interviews took place in the provided to their grandchildren. Not surprisingly, grandparents' homes; interviews with social work- geography was a major factor, particularly in terms ers were conducted in the agency. Interviews were of whether grandparents and grandchildren lived in audiotaped and later transcribed. The analysis used the same . Grandparents who lived in dif- a grounded theory approach. Themes and catego- ferent places of residence, especially if they were in ries were coded by identifying key words, phrases, different cities, did not have the same opportunities or similar ideas expressed by participants. Additional to engage in helping activities on a daily basis. categories were then created through the compari- The actions of young-adult and adult children of themes presented in the data already analyzed were a second factor influencing the support pro- with those revealed in new data. vided by grandparents to grandchildren. In some ARTICLE I Grandparent Involvement in Child Welfare Intervention with Grandchildren 13 cases children facilitated contact and support by what grandparents became more supportive after coming they did. One grandmother, for example, explained into contact with the child welfare system. The next that in the past the social worker would not give her question we addressed was, "Why did this come information about her grandchild without getting about?" There appeared to be four circumstances bring- prior permission from her child, the grandchild's ing grandparents and child welfare agencies together: . The grandmother telephoned her daughter and told her: 1. The Child Welfare System Was Perceived to Be a Resource to the Grandchild. In some You have to call the woman at child welfare and you cases, grandparents initiated contact with the have to tell her that they can tell me what I need to child welfare agency because they were con- know. My daughter said, "Okay." She phoned child cerned about their grandchildren and their welfare and said, "I'm telling you that you can tell my children's inability to parent the grandchil- mother anything she needs to know about my chil- dren. These grandparents did not necessarily dren" and slammed the phone down on her ear. But it have poor relationships with their children; worked. At least they deal with me now. however, they were concerned, about the well-being of their grandchildren. Developing more open communication with the One grandmother said that her daughter child welfare agency allowed this grandmother to "had a job on the streets." The daughter have more contact and provide more support to her would leave the grandchild with her and grandchild. "come and go when she felt like it." This In other cases, children influenced the amount grandmother eventually contacted the child of support provided by grandparents to their grand- welfare agency, looking for some guidance. children by what they didn't do. One grandmother, 2. The Grandparent Was Perceived to Be a for example, was seeking custody of her grandchild Resource to the Grandchild. In some cases, because she felt that her daughter was too "irrespon- social workers with child welfare agencies sible." The daughter would leave the grandchild with approached grandparents, asking them her and "disappear for a few days." The daughter's whether they would care for their grandchil- absence was the catalyst that led to this dren because their children (the grand- grandmother's increasing the support she provided children's parents) were abusive, neglectful, to her grandchild. She provided more support be- incarcerated, or wanted to place the grand- cause her daughter was unable to do so. children for adoption. The grandparents may A third factor that was perceived to influence have become known to the social worker contact between grandparents and grandchildren was through conversations with the grand- the child welfare system. One grandmother, for ex- children's parents or because the grand- ample, lived in a different city from her grandson, parents contacted the agencies out of who had been placed in a foster home. When the concern for their grandchildren. grandmother wanted to visit her grandson she had In one situation, the grandparent's daugh- to make arrangements with the foster mother whom ter gave birth to the grandchild just as she she said "dislikes me and has been fighting me every was entering the correctional system. The step of the way." The social worker and foster social worker, who knew about the grand- mother, as representatives of the child welfare sys- parent because she was already caring for her tem, were perceived by this grandmother to be daughter's other child, contacted the grand- gatekeepers who controlled the amount of contact mother and asked her if she would care for that she could have with her grandchild. her infant grandchild as well. 3. The Grandparent Was Perceived to Be a Circumstances Associated with Resource to the Child. Social workers may Grandparents' Becoming Involved with the have retained primary contact with the Child Welfare System grandchildren's parents (that is, the grand- Some grandparents had been providing long- parents' children), but may have involved the standing support to their grandchildren. Other grandparents in meetings because they were 14 I Elder's Advisor 14 I Elder's Advisor

perceived to be a resource to their children How Grandparents and Social Workers and the helping process. Evaluate Their Relationships with One Another For example, one social worker report- We were interested in what grandparents and social ed that whenever she visited the grand- workers valued in their relationships with one an- parent's child to discuss issues, the other. Grandparents evaluated social workers along grandmother would also be present. She several dimensions: would take notes, relay information to her daughter, and try to keep her daughter 1. Friendliness. Grandparents valued social "calm." workers who were "friendly," "easy-going," 4. The Grandparent Was Perceived as Detri- and "easy to talk to." These characteristics mental to the Grandchild. Grandparents may seemed to set a tone for the grandparents, not have been viewed as a resource, but as who found it easier to engage with the social detrimental to the well-being of their grand- workers, rather than withdraw or lash out. children. This situation occurred when As one grandmother remarked about her grandparents had custody of grandchildren social worker: "She's been friendly. I've got and demonstrated limited parenting capabili- no problems with her. Like I've never gotten ties, resulting in grandchildren having to be angry." removed from the grandparents' homes. It 2. Information. Grandparents appreciated social was noted, however, that grandparents may workers who gave them information and re- not have been anxious to parent their grand- sponded to their questions. Grandparents were children initially and may have been realistic especially interested in receiving feedback when about their parenting skills. Grandparents a home visit had been conducted because the may have assumed the role of surrogate par- grandparent was applying for custody of the ent because their children were unable to grandchild. As one grandmother stated: "I parent on their own and the grandparents mean not everybody can have an answer, but did not want the grandchildren to enter fos- at least they can find out the information." ter care. Once the grandparents took on this 3. Emotional Support. Grandparents felt more role, however, they may have found that they positively toward social workers who were could not manage parenting effectively. "empathic" and "understanding." Referring One social worker, for example, spoke to her social worker, one grandmother stated: about a grandmother who took care of her "She talks to me a lot and she keeps me go- grandchild after her daughter died following ing. Some days it's very difficult." a drug overdose. The grandmother was able 4. Material Support. The material support pro- to "more or less provide a roof over their vided by some social workers was very heads" and "the basic necessities," but she helpful to the grandparents. Social workers "wasn't able to provide them with what they offered food vouchers, recreation passes, and needed emotionally." While this social Christmas gifts for the grandchildren. These worker eventually removed the grandchildren resources were especially important to grand- from this grandmother's home, she recog- parents who had limited finances or whose nized that: caregiving responsibilities allowed them little respite away from their grandchildren. I don't know if anybody could have given 5. Advice and Services. Some grandparents wel- more to the kids because of where they were comed the advice that social workers gave at the time. I had compassion for her. I think to them around child-management issues, she wanted to try her best. She could have counseling that social workers provided to said (at the beginning when approached), their grandchildren, or referrals to other "No." She could have said, "I'm not doing agencies that could supply these services. this, it doesn't matter" and we couldn't have forced her. But she wanted to try and she Social workers also evaluated grandparents along wanted to see. several, albeit different, dimensions: ARTICLE I GrandDarent Involvement in Child Welfare Intervention with Grandchildren 15

1. Caring Attitude. Social workers looked at what (the child welfare system) is trying to grandparents more positively when they felt do." One social worker, for example, had a that grandparents genuinely cared about their compatible relationship with a grandparent grandchildren. As one social worker stated, because "she seemed to understand the so- "When you sense that she is feeling care and cial worker's role and didn't challenge it." love for her grandchildren, it's easier for you Social workers often felt more positively to connect with her." toward grandparents whom they felt shared 2. Effectiveness. Social workers placed value on their same goals-namely, the protection of grandparents who were perceived to care for grandchildren who were at risk. As one so- their grandchildren effectively. This value was cial worker stated: "She is cooperative. She not related as much to the caring attitude that sees the need to protect the children. Her con- grandparents had toward their grandchil- cerns, I guess, are the same concerns that the dren; rather, it referred to the actual assistance Society (child welfare) has. So, it becomes that grandparents provided to their grand- more easier (sic) to deal with grandma." children. Social workers, moreover, were not One important aspect of this cooperation insensitive to the difficulties that grandpar- was for grandparents not to form a coalition ents faced in caring for their grandchildren. with their children whose parenting abilities As one social worker said about a grand- may be called into question. One social mother with whom she worked: "She's worker described this process: financially strained.. .her grandchildren all have some disability like ADHD... and she's Automatically, the defenses are up. Grandma a single grandmom." The "bottom line," may be aligning herself with mom until she however, was that her grandchildren "have finds out the reason for my visit. And then, everything that they need." she will not necessarily align herself but sup- 3. Information. Social workers valued grand- port the Society's (child welfare) need to parents who provided them with information investigate or to complete an assessment of and who were "honest and up front about the family's situation at that time. what's going on in her home." Referring to 5. one grandmother with whom she worked, a Compliance. Grandparents who were per- social worker remarked: "She's very honest ceived to comply with what they were asked with me. She's very forthcoming with things. to do were viewed more positively by the Like, if something happened that she knows social workers. This included grandparents who "followed up" and listened that I should know about, then she will call to what the and inform me and keep me updated on social worker said. One social worker offered what's going on." an example: This provision of information about I say, "You know, the room is messy and there's grandchildren was especially helpful to so- a lot of safety hazards here. I think it would be cial workers because it helped them meet their more safe if you made it child-proof, clean up mandate, which focused on the protection the place a bit." And then I would come back of the children. One social worker went even a week later and it still isn't done. And now I'd further, explaining that she needed to be in- have to get a bit more forceful. I'd have to say, formed and to document whatever happened "Listen, you have to do this, or..." to the grandchild "in case we have to go to court and our notes are subpoenaed-just for Discussion my sake to say that I've covered myself." Our findings have led us to two main conclusions. 4. Respect. Social workers felt more positively First, the majority of grandparents and social toward grandparents who recognize the so- workers at child welfare agencies have a common cial worker's expertise and authority, who interest in the well-being of the grandchildren. ask for the social worker's help when they Grandparents are supportive in instrumental and were perceived to need it, and who "respect emotional ways, a finding well documented in the 16 Advisor 16 I| Elder'sEkler's Advisor grandparenting and grandparent-caregiver litera- According to this social worker, the grandchildren's ture.12 Social workers also try to protect grand- parents already see the grandparents in the role of children who are at risk. They feel entrusted by the parents, whereas they view their more as a state to ensure the safety and well-being of vulner- "peer," which could increase the possibility of com- able children who may not be receiving the care that petition and feelings of rivalry within the middle they need from their families. . Our second conclusion is that grandparents and Grandparents can be resources in other ways as social workers may share common goals, but the ex- well. Social workers rely on grandparents for infor- tent to which they work together in pursuit of these mation, particularly regarding their children's ability goals is influenced by the use of power in their rela- to parent the grandchildren. Social workers may also tionships. It appears clear that social workers have more depend on grandparents to supervise visits between power than grandparents. Grandparents, however are their children and grandchildren when noncustodial not necessarily powerless. The more meaningful ques- children have access to the grandchildren but only tion is whether they experience a sense of power in in a protective environment. their relationships with social workers. Grandparents may not be powerless in their re- Power is defined in terms of resources. As lationships with child welfare agencies due to the Hasenfeld" states, "The amount of power that A resources they represent to these agencies. Findings has over B is a direct function of the resources A suggest, however, that grandparents do not perceive controls and B needs and an inverse function of the themselves as having much power in these relation- ability of B to obtain these resources elsewhere." ships. Most grandparents viewed the child welfare Social workers hold several resources that may be agency as "a threat," they felt that they were "in a valuable to grandparents and that they may have precarious position," and that social workers in the difficulty obtaining elsewhere. As our findings show, agency "call the shots." The central complaint that social workers have the expertise to provide advice most grandparents had was that social workers had and guidance, as well as the legal mandate to inter- unreasonable expectations, especially with regard to vene in situations in which grandchildren are at risk how they cared for their grandchildren. As one grand- in their parental homes. Grandparents who recog- mother stated, "I don't mind being involved, but they nize this will access child welfare agencies when they come across as if I don't know how to raise my grand- have concerns about the well-being of their grand- children... Don't come in and order me around. I've children. When grandchildren are at such risk that brought up kids." The "threat" that was perceived they are removed from their parental homes, then to accompany this message was that failure to com- child welfare agencies become the gatekeepers who ply would result in the grandmother's losing custody, control the opportunities that grandparents have to losing access to her grandchild, or not gaining cus- be with their grandchildren-by placing grandchil- tody, if this is what the grandmother was seeking. dren in the grandparents' homes, or by facilitating It was noted, moreover, that the same grandpar- visits with grandchildren who are in foster homes or ents who worried about their status in the agencies care facilities. Social workers in child welfare agen- may have reported that they had friendly and easy- cies also provide various types of material and going relationships with their social workers. This emotional support to grandparents, especially when suggests that some grandparents may interpret power they are raising their grandchildren. differently, depending on whether the focal point is Grandparents, in turn, represent important re- the agency or an individual child welfare worker. sources to child welfare agencies. They offer a home for their grandchildren, which can be especially im- Implications for Practice and Policy portant if foster homes are in short supply. Moreover, As our findings suggest, grandparents may be an placing grandchildren in grandparents' homes is con- underused resource for the child welfare or child sistent with agency philosophy (and the personal protection system. Clearly, power and the use of philosophy of the social workers we interviewed) to authority are historical issues that social work prac- promote a sense of family continuity for grandchil- titioners have addressed and continue to address. dren. One social worker suggested that placing Power particularly is central in child protection agen- grandchildren with grandparents is even more suc- cies, given their legal mandate and accountability to cessful than placing them with and . society and the courts. However, the extent to which ARTICLE | Grandparent Involvement in Child Welfare Intervention with Grandchildren 17

social workers in child protection access and ac- We recognize that some grandparents have limi- knowledge grandparents' strengths in caring for their tations and may not be the best or most appropriate grandchildren has the potential to develop further source of support for their grandchildren. However, partnerships among grandparents, grandchildren, in other situations, social workers may wish to as- parents, and child protection agencies. sess the extent to which they have identified If grandparents perceive agencies only as con- grandparents' strengths and the possible resource the frontational in exerting power over them and their grandparents could be to their grandchildren. This grandchildren, they may be less likely to contact these situation is particularly relevant and timely given the agencies at early stages of potential abuse or neglect. lack of, or decreasing availability of, community re- The degree to which child protection workers de- sources for children and families in many velop and maintain open communication and respect communities, especially for temporary or longer-term for grandparents' source of knowledge and informa- resources for out-of-home placements for children. tion about their grandchildren potentially can Grandparents may provide an additional option for decrease the level of risk and the need to intervene financially challenged child protection agencies in earlier to prevent harm to grandchildren. Similarly, developing and expanding out-of-home placement if social workers assess grandparents' strengths resources. merely on the basis of compliance with workers' di- Last, the principles of least intrusiveness and best rections, agencies may be eliminating the energy and interests have the potential to be recognized and sup- knowledge that grandparents may proactively bring ported by examining the extent to which to the situation. Grandparents, as our findings indi- grandparents may be a resource for their grandchil- cate, may be reluctant to communicate important dren rather than more expensive out-of-home care risk indicators to social workers. facilities, e.g. foster or group home placements.

Endnotes 1. Julia Danzy and Sondra M. Jackson, Family 8. Kathleen M. Roe and Meredith Minkler, Grand- Preservationand Support Services: A Missed parents Raising Grandchildren:Challenges and Opportunity for , LXXVI CHILD Responses, WINTER 1998-1999 at 25. WELFARE 31 (1997); James P. Gleeson et al., Under- standing the Complexity of Practice in Kinship 9. Linda M. Burton, Black GrandparentsRearing Foster Care, LXXVI CHILD WELFARE 801 (1997). Children of Drug-Addicted Parents: Stressors, Outcomes, and Social Service Needs, 32 THE 2. Charlene Ingram, Kinship Care: From Last Resort GERONTOLOGIST 744 (1992); Michelle A. Emick and to First Choice, LXXV CHILD WELFARE 550 (1996). Bert Hayslip, Custodial Grandparenting:New Roles For Middle-Aged And Older Adults, 43 INT'L. 3. Jesse L. Thornton, Permanency Planning for J. AGING & HUMAN DEV. 135 (1996). Children in Kinship Foster Homes, LXX CHILD WELFARE 593 (1991). 10. Id.

4. Id. 11. Margaret Platt Jendrek, Grandparents Who Parent Their Grandchildren:Effects on Lifestyle, 55 J. OF 5. James P. Gleeson et al., Understandingthe Com- & THE FAM. 609 (1993). plexity of Practice in Kinship Foster Care, LXXVI CHILD WELFARE 801 (1997). 12. See Carolyn J. Rosenthal and James Gladstone, Grandparenthoodin Canada, in THE TRENDS SERIES 6. Jane L. Pearson et al., GrandmotherInvolvement in (Vanier Inst. of the Family, 2000). Child Caregivingin an Urban Community, 37 THE GERONTOLOGIST 650 (1997). 13. Yeheskel Hasenfeld, Power in Social Work Practice, 61 SOCIAL SERVICE REVIEW, 469(1987). 7. Rachel Pruchno, Raising Grandchildren:The Experiences of Black and White Grandmothers,39 THE GERONTOLOGIST 209 (1999).