July 22, 2002
Children's home gives help for 'grandparent parents'
___By Jonathan Echols
___South Texas Children's Home
___BEEVILLE--During their later years, when most are planning retirement, an increasing number of grandparents are becoming parents all over again.
___In Texas alone in 2000, nearly 250,000 grandparents were responsible for raising their grandchildren, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The reasons vary from death to illness to irresponsibility on the part of the children turned parents.
___In some cases, becoming primarycaregivers for grandchildren at a later stage in life creates emotional, physical and financial burdens.
MARILYNN and her grandparents, Merrill and Jo Swann.
___A growing number of children being placed for care at South Texas Children's Home are brought by grandparents, according to Mark Childs, vice president for child care at the Baptist General Convention of Texas agency.
___"We have seen a large number of children come into our care from grandparents who just can't take care of them anymore," Childs said. "Some of them are physically not able, and some are no longer able to bear the financial burden."
___Chad is one of those children. Now 17, he was placed at South Texas Children's Home by his grandmother in February 1999, when he was 14. Betty Jean Harris has had each one of Chad's five siblings living with her at some point since their mother's death in 1997. She placed Chad with the children's home after being referred there by Child Protective Services. She was seeking help because she realized Chad was not doing very well emotionally.
___"He was very confused and could not relate to his mother's death," Harris said. "He was angry."
___Since arriving at the children's home, Chad's behavior has changed dramatically, the grandmother said. "He focuses on the word of God now and not on the negative."
___Harris expresses gratitude to South Texas Children's Home for the care her grandson has received there--care she believes has made a difference in his life.
___"I would recommend South Texas Children's Home for any child," she said. "It hashelped Chad so much. He can be an example for someone else now. He has made such a big improvement."
CHAD and his grandmother Betty Jean Harris.
___That improvement also was possible because Chad has a loving and supportive family member who has remained involved in his life, noted caseworker Jenny Gentry.
___"Chad's grandmother has been a tremendous stabilizing force in his life," she explained. "She continues to be involved and very supportive of Chad while he is in care here at South Texas Children's Home."
___Grandparents often become an integral part of successful child care, said Jerry Haag, president of the children's home.
___"Many of them are very involved with their grandchildren in our care. Other grandparents offer great support through prayer and financial gifts. South Texas Children's Home makes it possible for grandparents to be grandparents and not have the burden of being the primary caretakers. It gives grandparents another option, one to which they can entrust their precious grandchildren."
___Fourteen-year-old Marilynn was placed at South Texas Children's Home when her grandparents, Merrill and Jo Swann, determined that would be the best place for Marilynn.
___"It was God's blessing to have a place to put her," Mrs. Swann said. "All the people there are suited for the job. They have compassion, patience and love."
___The Swanns believe Marilynn gets many benefits at South Texas Children's Home that they are not able to give her.
___Marilynn and Chad's cases are not unique. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bureau unpublished tables, of more than 2 million grandparents nationwide who are responsible for raising their grandchildren, about 400,000 live below the poverty line.
___"The difference is that these kids are given the chance to grow up in a loving, compassionate environment where they will have everything they need," Haag said of the children's home's assistance. "These kids have the opportunity to become all God created them for."
___Rather than falling into patterns of destructive behavior or emotional problems, grandchildren placed at South Texas Children's Home often grow in confidence and excel academically.
___Chad, for example, lettered in three varsity sports last school year. His favorite sport is track, in which he recently set a record in a 100-meter race. He hopes to one day compete in the Olympics. Marilynn plays the trumpet in the school band. She also has been involved with 4-H, showing a goat named Brown Eyes at the county stock show last year. She hopes to become a teacher.
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