AARP Eye Center
En español | WASHINGTON, DC—Today, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond released the following statement in response to Senate passage of the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act (S. 1091):
“AARP is pleased with the passage of the bipartisan Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Bob Casey (D-PA).
“This bill creates an urgently needed federal taskforce to help support the more than 2.6 million grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. This number will only grow as our country continues struggling with a devastating opioid epidemic and more grandparents step in to care for their grandchildren.
“The new federal taskforce will coordinate and disseminate information and best practices, and will serve as a hub of critical resources for grandparents. Millions of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren need information and assistance on issues dealing with legal custody, available social services, mental health counseling, and other vital programs.
“As more families across the country grapple with the toll of the opioid epidemic, we must help grandparents get the support they need to maintain a stable environment for their grandchildren.”
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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.