This handbook addresses the impact of the parent’s substance use disorder on the grandfamily or kinship caregiver and maintain your mental health as a caregiver.

This handbook provides insight on understanding the impact of a parent’s substance use disorder on the child.

This handbook is about where to begin when children are suddenly in your care.

Handbook includes sections about practicing self-care, addressing childhood trauma, preventing harmful drug use by children, engaging with birth parents, and talking with a child about their birth parents.

Parenting is rewarding, but it is not always easy. When problems arise in a family, it is often the children who are emotionally or physically affected. Unfortunately, some parents do not know where to turn to get help for their children or themselves. This handbook was written to explain the role of CP&P workers and other staff who work together to serve you and your family. CP&P recognizes this can be a very difficult time for you and your family. You may have many questions along the way, so feel free to speak to your worker about your concerns at anytime.

The purpose of this expanded version of the Toolkit is to empower individuals with disabilities and their family
and professional caregivers by providing information to more effectively advocate for persons with complex
severe behavioral health conditions (which we formerly referred to as “dual diagnosis”) for treatments, supports,
services and the conditions that promote mental wellness. Individuals with diagnoses of developmental
disabilities and behavioral health disorders face multiple challenges in their daily lives. Some of these
challenges relate to the behavioral health conditions themselves. Other barriers include the shortage of qualified
medical and non-medical behavioral health providers and the failure to give mental health and behavioral
disorders the same attention as with medical disorders. Individuals of all ages with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges, therefore, face the barriers of limited access to
needed services, lack of equality and problems with obtaining and affording care.

Building Resilience: Supporting Grandfamilies’ Mental Health & Wellness, 2023

The latest report from Generations United on grandparents raising grandchildren and relatives. Information includes how grandparents’ challenges effect mental health, various findings, services, supports and more.