Some Issues or Questions you May Have About Finding Additional Support
Issue 1: I am unaware of and need to find local resources in my community for relative caregivers.
Issue 2: I need to find local resources in my community, but I can't read or I don't have access to the internet.
Issue 3: I need to locate resources for my disabled grandchild.
Issue 4: I or my relative's child needs someone to talk to about stress management, adjustment, separation, attachment, loss, grief, or trust issues.
Issue 5: I feel isolated and abandoned/rejected by my family.
Issue 6: I am a man raising my relative's female child, or I am a woman raising my relative's male child, and I need help with hygiene issues.
Issue 7: How can I be a parent to my relative's child when I have never been a parent before?
Issue 8: My family is constantly fighting and arguing about my relative's child.
Issue 9: I need a break.
Issue 10: My family needs to relax and have fun.
Issue 11: I want to stay abreast of relative caregiver information in Tennessee.
Issue 12: I want to help advocate for relative caregivers.
Issue 13: National Resources
Issue 14: Local Resources
- 1. I am unaware of and need to find local resources in my community for relative caregivers.
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Visit the Relative Caregiver Program and view your area's resource guide.
Contact your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Call 2-1-1.
Visit Tennhelp.com.
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- 2. I need to find local resources in my community, but I can't read or I don't have access to the internet.
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Contact your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Call 2-1-1.
Limitation:
There is not a national or statewide relative caregiver Navigation system (hotline, help desk, or resource referral system). 211 is trying to setup a statewide Navigation program within the next 2 years. See more information about information and support services.
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- 3. I need to locate resources for my disabled grandchild.
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Visit Tennessee Pathfinder or TennHelp.com to search the Disability Category.
Read the Relative Caregiver's Guide to Raising Children with Disabilities.
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- 4. I or my relative's child needs someone to talk to about stress management, adjustment, separation, attachment, loss, grief, or trust issues.
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Attend your area's Relative Caregiver Support Group, or call your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the section on the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Visit TennHelp.com to search the Mental Health Category, Children's Issues Category or the Youth Category.
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- 5. I feel isolated and abandoned/ rejected by my family.
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If this is urgent, call Tennessee Crisis Line at 1.800.809.9957.
Attend your area's Relative Caregiver Support Group, or call your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the section on the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Go to TennHelp.com to search the Mental Health Category.
Visit KINship Information Network Group Message Board/chat room.
Limitation:
There is currently no chat room available for Tennessee relative caregivers only.
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- 6. I am a man raising my relative's female child, or I am a woman raising my relative's male child, and I need help with hygiene issues.
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Big Brother Big Sister Program or other mentoring programs. Visit the Big Brother Big Sister Program website, or TennHelp.com to search the Children's Issues Category or the Youth Category.
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- 7. How can I be a parent to my relative's child when I have never been a parent before?
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Attend your area's Relative Caregiver Support Group, or call your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the section on the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Take a Parenting Course. Visit TennHelp.com and search the Parenting Category.
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- 8. My family is constantly fighting and arguing about my relative's child.
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Search the following categories on TennHelp.com Children's Issues, Mental Health, Parenting, or Youth.
Attend your area's Relative Caregiver Support Group, or call your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the section on the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Limitation:
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)/mediation is currently not available statewide for relative caregivers. However, the Department of Children's Services (DCS) is exploring the possibility of providing mediation for relative caregivers and their families, and a local law school clinic may be able to help families who desire mediation. Read Alternative Dispute Resolution.
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- 9. I need a break.
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Relative Caregiver Programs provide respite services. Respite means a period of rest or relief. Respite care provides a caregiver temporary relief from the responsibilities of caring for individuals. Contact your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Department of Children's Services (DCS) provides respite services to its foster parents and relative caregivers. Contact your case manager for further information.
Greater Nashville Area Agency on Aging & Disability (GNAAAD) is one of nine agencies statewide whose mission is to plan programs and services for the older population and adults with disabilities. Area Agencies on Aging & Disability are part of the Aging Network which includes the Tennessee Commission on Aging & Disability and the U.S. Administration on Aging. As the Area Agency on Aging & Disability, our purpose is to plan for the provision of The Older Americans Act (OAA) and state funded services to persons 60 years of age or older and adults with disabilities, in order for them to realize their full potential and remain participating members of their communities for as long as possible.
Contact the AAAD that serves your area. See a contact list for Tennessee Area Agencies on Aging and Disability.
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- 10. My family needs to relax and have fun.
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Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) provides recreation activities. Contact your RCP case manager/family advocate. Or visit the Relative Caregiver Program for more information. Also, check your area's RCP manuals on the RCP page for recreation activities.
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- 11. I want to stay abreast of relative caregiver information in TN.
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Contact your Relative Caregiver Program (RCP) case manager/family advocate. Visit the Relative Caregiver Program for more information.
Contact AARP Grandparent Information Center at (888) 687-2277 or www.aarp.org/grandparents.
Limitation:
Currently, there is no statewide relative caregiver association or newsletter for relative caregivers.
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- 12. I want to help advocate for relative caregivers.
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Join the Tennessee State Kinship Advisory Board. This organization was created by the Department of Children's Services (DCS) and funded by the Brookdale Foundation. The Board is made up of relative caregivers, policymakers, child welfare workers, and lawmakers. The Board meets quarterly, about every three months, to continue to organize and support relative caregivers. The following is the contact person's information:
Robert L. Matthews
Director of Kinship Support Network
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
436 Sixth Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Office: 615-253-2342
Fax 615-253-1717
robert.l.matthews@state.tn.us
Join a national, state or local advocacy group for children, the elderly or for relative caregivers. TennHelp.com does not recommend or endorse any of the groups, organizations or resources listed below.
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- 13. National Resources
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- 14. Local Resources
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Contact your local, state, and national political leaders. Visit the following websites to get information about your local, state and national leaders:
