Christine Zellers, MPP – Assistant Professor/FCHS Educator – Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County, Family and Community Health Sciences
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County has been a cornerstone of support for kinship families since its inception in 1999. Founded by former FCHS Educator and Associate Professor Marilou Rochford, the program began as a parenting and support group for grandparents unexpectedly stepping into the role of primary caregivers. This initiative was born out of a county forum that identified the growing need for resources and community for these families.
Today, the program continues to thrive, offering monthly educational sessions rooted in SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness: Social, Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, Environmental, Occupational, Spiritual, and Financial. These dimensions guide the curriculum, ensuring that grandparents receive holistic support tailored to their unique challenges and frame classes as a Caring for the Caregiver wellness program. For example, a session on financial wellness might feature a county surrogate discussing wills, a financial planner explaining Social Security, or representatives from Human Services outlining benefits for seniors. Classes offered for emotional wellness include chair yoga, stress management tools and positive attributes of raising your grandchildren. Social wellness classes focus on family socialization as well as peer socialization with game nights and group painting classes.
Meetings include a family-style dinner followed by separate activities for adults and children. While grandparents engage in peer support and wellness education, children participate in STEM projects and team-building exercises. This structure strengthens family bonds while creating space for caregivers to focus on themselves.
The challenges faced by these families are profound. Grandparents often juggle physical limitations, financial strain, and social isolation while raising children in a world vastly different from the one they parented decades ago. Technology-driven school communication, shifting parenting norms, and generational gaps add layers of complexity. Some grandparents have had to return to work or change jobs to accommodate childcare needs, while others struggle with health concerns and the emotional weight of being the last line of care for their grandchildren.
Equally important is understanding the children in these kinship relationships. Many experience feelings of abandonment and grief, even as they deeply appreciate their grandparents’ love and stability. The program addresses these emotional needs through activities and discussions that foster resilience and connection.
Ultimately, the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program is more than a support group, it is a lifeline. By providing education, resources, and a sense of community, it empowers grandparents to care for themselves while navigating the complexities of raising a new generation. Through this work, we aim to improve quality of life for grandfamilies and ensure that no caregiver feels alone on this journey.
