Healthy Grandfamilies Workshop at UOG to support grandparent and other kinship caregivers

Healthy Grand Families Workshop flyer with a photo of mother and daughter holding hands and walking and the workshop information.

Healthy Grandfamilies Workshop (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)

Grandparents and others who are raising and caring for the children or teens of another family member are invited to participate in Healthy Grandfamilies — a free, first-time workshop series being offered through the University of Guam Land Grant Extension Service.

The four-session workshop series will provide lessons from the “Parenting A Second Time Around” curriculum developed by Cornell University. The program aims to provide grandparent and other kinship caregivers with information, skills, and resources to enhance their ability to provide effective care for the children they are parenting.

Additionally, the course will offer caregivers an opportunity to connect with others in similar situations, share experiences, and discover practical resources to strengthen themselves and their families.

“We see many ‘grandfamilies’ here in Guam, where often times the grandparents or aunties and uncles are the main caregivers for a child,” said Tim de La Cruz, a UOG Land Grant extension agent of family and consumer sciences. “While this can be positive in many ways, it also comes with unique challenges — both in terms of parenting effectively and also in terms of legal matters. We’re excited to bring this series to Guam to help any families who could use some guidance or support in this area.”

Tim de La Cruz (Photo courtesy of University of Guam)

The topics and agenda for the workshop series is as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (UOG ALS Bldg., Room 104):

“It Wasn’t Supposed to Be Like This” and “Getting to Know You”

Facilitated by Tim de La Cruz, Ph.D., and Michelle Blas-Laguana, Ph.D.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (UOG ALS Bldg., Room 104):

“Rebuilding A Family” and “Legal Concerns of Relatives Raising Children”

Facilitated by Tim de La Cruz, Ph.D., and Michelle Blas-Laguana, Ph.D.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (UOG ALS Bldg., Room 104):

“Grandparents and Teens Living Together” and “Living with Teens Can Be Challenging”

Facilitated by Tim de La Cruz, Ph.D., and Michelle Blas-Laguana, Ph.D.

Thursday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., (UOG ALS Bldg., Room 127):

“Raising Healthy Eaters”

Facilitated by Lenora Matanane, M.S., RDN, L.D.

The workshops are free and open to grandparents and other relatives caring for children and teens. Registrants are encouraged to attend all four workshop sessions. Registration is available at https://url.uog.edu/grandfamilies.

For more information or questions, contact Extension Assistant Jocelyn Kugum at kugumj@gotritons.uog.edu or (671) 735-2020.