Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Learn more about the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

Meetings

The Commission's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Commission Meeting, 1:00 - 3:00 PM via Zoom.

If you would like to receive a Zoom invite, please contact [e-mail]

Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions
   1. UNH MSW Intern:  Cynthia Hession-Richard
2. March Meeting Minutes – Move to next meeting
3. Financial Report/Budget – Meegan Simpson-Best
   1. FY’25
   2. SIG
4. Directors Report – Colleen Pritoni
   1. Conference and Volunteer Celebration dates
   2. Roundtables – West, Central, Southeast, Cape+ Islands, Northeast
   3. Spring Workshops:
      1. Cartooning with Jarrett J. Krosoczka
      2. Navigating Special Education with FCSN- English and Spanish
   4. Program Coordinator:
      1. Wellness Cafés – Boston and Plymouth 2025
      2. Support group updates
5. Sub-Committee Updates:
   1. Support Group Sub-Committee:  Deb Dowd-Foley
      1. 2025 Conference Planning
         1. Volunteers needed – contact Colleen asap
   2. Legal and Advocacy Sub-Committee: Lynn Girton
      1. College Tuition and Fee Waiver bill – update since March meeting
      2. Commission members bill-update-update since March meeting
      3. Summary of January sub-committee meeting
   3. Information and Outreach: Gail Williams
      1. Outreach projects and consult with marketing consultant
   4. Resource Development Sub-Committee: Ilene Mitchell
      1. Mosaic Grant update
      2. Marigold Foundation
6. Chairman’s Report
7. Advisory Board Update – Kristen Cipullo
8. Next Meeting: 5/14/25 GRG Conference!

About the Commission

In July 2008, the Child Advocate Bill established the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. This legislation calls for "a permanent commission on the status of grandparents raising grandchildren which consists of 15 persons who have demonstrated a commitment to grandchildren."

July 8, 2008  The Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren was established

10,400  Massachusetts estimates that over 10,400 children in the Commonwealth living without their biological parent present are being raised by their grandparents. [1]

Purpose and Responsibilities

The Commission's primary purpose is to serve as a "resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and relatives, other than parents, raising kin.”

Its main responsibilities include:

• Creating unity between grandparents raising grandchildren through communities and organizations in the commonwealth.
• Supporting cooperation and sharing of information.
• Encouraging collaboration and joint activities.
• Serving as a liaison between government and private interest groups with regard to the unique interest and concern of grandparents raising grandchildren.
• Giving advice to executive and legislative bodies of the potential effect of proposed legislation on grandparents raising grandchildren, as the commission deems necessary and appropriate.
• Identifying issues that grandparents and all relatives who are raising children face.

Contact

Mail: Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

c/o Colleen Pritoni, GRG Coordinator, 600 Washington Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111

Email: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone] 

Source: [1] As of 2014 according to the American Community Survey 5 Year Census .gov 2011-2015