Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Resources ~ Assistance ~ Support

Are you a Texas grandparent raising grandchildren? If so, you're not alone. There are currently 534,729 Texas grandparents in this roll. As more grandparents take on the task of raising their grandchildren, the changes in communities brought about by the influence of this unique family structure become more powerful in shaping local and state policies.

Many grandmothers and grandfathers don’t think twice about assuming the custody of grandchildren when the need arises, because family ties and familial love initially overcome practical considerations.

However, forming a grandfamily — a household in which a grandparent, in the absence of parents, raises grandchildren — has far-reaching effects on lifestyle, grandparent visitation rights, economic status, and often quality of life.

Below is a list of helpful resources, assistance and support we have complied that we hope will be of help to you, or someone you know.

Family and Consumer Sciences provides Texas grandparents with a wealth of information and resources including legal and financial resources, support groups, parenting skills and more.

Grandparents as Parents - The Rewards & Challenges of Raising Grandchildren
Useful tips for raising grandchildren from Helpguide.org

Texas Health and Human Services Commission provides assistance for Texas grandparents caring for grandchildren living in their home. (PDF file) En Español version too.

Grandparent's Page ~ Visitation Rights ~ Texas Attorney General of Texas
In Texas, a court can authorize grandparent visitation of a grandchild if visitation is in the child's best interest. Learn under which circumstances this applies.

AARP Texas Fact Sheet for Grandparents
AARP, The Brookdale Foundation Group, Casey Family Programs, Child Welfare League of America, Children's Defense Fund, and Generations United have partnered to produce state and national GrandFacts fact sheets for grandparents and other relatives raising children

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren...realizing you're not alone...
More than six million children - approximately 1 in 12 - are living in households headed by grandparents (4.5 million children) or other relatives (1.5 million children). Learn about public benefits available to grandparents and other relatives and the children they raise vary from state to state.

USA.gov Made Easy Services and Resources
If you take care of grandchildren, find grandparent programs in your state and get information about benefits, assistance, and more.