Delaware Foster Grandparent Program
The Delaware Foster Grandparent Program was established in 1967 to help alleviate poverty among senior citizens and to engage seniors in community service. Currently, the Program serves 275+ senior citizens and over 1,650 children in over 100 schools, Head Start centers, and pre-school/day care programs throughout Delaware. The Program's sponsors are the Corporation for National and Community Service and Delaware Health & Social Services.
Goals
- To enable the Foster Grandparent volunteers to remain physically and mentally active and to enhance self-esteem through participation in needed community service.
- To enable children, less than 21 years of age, with either exceptional or special needs to achieve improved physical, mental, emotional and social development, by helping them attain independent living.
Eligibility
- 60 years old or older
- On a limited income (see below), in good health, to actively serve 15-40 hours weekly
- Have patience, kindness, and love to spare
Income must not exceed: 1 in the household/$11,965; 2 in the household/$16,040; 3 in the household/$20,115 (add $3,260 for each additional member). However, a percentage of medical expenses such as insurance, prescriptions, hospital bills, doctor bills, deductibles and co-pays may be deducted from the annual income.
Benefits to the Volunteer
- A $3.45 non-taxable, hourly stipend
- 20-hour orientation/training
- Lunch while volunteering
- Paid holidays, vacation & sick leave
- A travel allowance
- Recognition for service
- Accident and liability insurance
- Monthly in-service training
- And, the love of some very special children
Benefits to the Children Served
- Prepare them for success in school
- Help with their class work
- Attention from someone who cares
- Help them cope with life
- Someone to listen to them who cares and understands
- A mentor or tutor to help them for at least a year
- A friend to play games and have fun
Benefits to the Volunteer Station
- Reach agency goals with Foster Grandparent support
- Enhance your volunteer base
- Address unmet needs
- Clientele under 21 years of age may receive supportive services
- Guaranteed one year commitment or longer if required
- Children have special one-on-one or small group attention
- Recognition of service as a volunteer site
- The help of a caring and supportive senior citizen
Activities Performed
As a Foster Grandparent, activities may include:
- One-on-one time with individuals in a supervised setting
- Listen to the individual talk about their problems and be supportive
- Help infants in development
- Play games and spend quality time with a child or teen
- Read or have the individual read to you
- Seatwork i.e., math, coloring, English, English as a second language, number and letter recognition, counting, etc.
- Sooth an individual with behavior problemsKeep individual focused on their assignments
- Help the individual develop positive social skills
- Give kindness, love, and understanding to an individual in need
Foster Grandparents are not to replace paid staff and do not perform domestic duties, grade papers, file, make copies or act as an authoritarian figure.
Volunteer Stations Where Foster Grandparents Serve
Local nonprofit organizations and public agencies where Foster Grandparents serve are called volunteer stations. These agencies include children's services, child and youth-oriented charities, and faith-based institutions. All volunteer stations must be licensed, non-profit or government agencies-not limited to:
- Pre-elementary Day Care Centers
- Early Childhood Education Centers
- Health Care FacilitiesHead Start centers
- Elementary Schools
- Middle Schools
- Orthopedic Facilities
- Developmental Disability Programs
- Detention Centers
- Drug Treatment Programs
Organizations that address the needs of abused and neglected children, troubled teens, young mothers, premature infants, children with physical and mental disabilities, and children with learning delays work with the local Foster Grandparent program to place and coordinate the services of the Foster Grandparent volunteers.
For Further Information
For further information contact the Division of State Service Centers or to obtain a volunteer or agency application call or visit your local office. Walk-ins accepted. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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New Castle County: |
Kent County/Main Office: |
Sussex County: |
Sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service
and
Delaware Health & Social Services
