The COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on almost every aspect of American life, from the economy to public education.
And it has worsened a problem that already was serious before the pandemic — grandparents struggling to raise children.
Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has orphaned thousands more children younger than 18, leaving grandparents to fill the void. According to state House figures, 95,000 grandparents in Pennsylvania alone are the primary caregivers for 190,000 children.
Most people in that position, of course, did not plan to raise a second family. They were worried more about dealing with retirement than the costs and responsibilities of caring for children.
Their heroic work not only is crucial for the kids under their care, it also saves U.S. taxpayers about $4 billion a year in social service costs.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and several other senators have proposed a package of bills to help grandparents, and other relatives who become primary caregivers.
}The Grandfamilies Act would provide greater access to Social Security children’s benefits and cash through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, and provide grants to community programs that support families with grandparents as the primary caregivers.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Casey sponsor the Supporting the Well-Being and Mental Health of Grandfamilies Act, which would address mental health issues that grandparents and their families face.
— The Citizens’ Voice, Wilkes-Barre via TNS
