Definition: Grand families is a term referring to grandparents and other relatives who care full-time for relative children. The term is used by a number of organizations, including AARP and Generations United. GrandFamilies of America is a national organization for grandparents and other relative caregivers of children. Many of the organizations that use this term advocate for children to be placed with relatives whenever parents cannot care for them. Other groups using the term are involved primarily in lobbying for more support for relative caregivers. GrandRally is an annual event, first held in 2003, in which relative caregivers meet in Washington to bring attention to the needs of grand families.
Also Known As: GAP (Grandparents as Parents), GRG (Grandparents Raising Grandchildren), kinship care
Alternate Spellings: grandfamilies
