Grandfamilies are the focus of a new support group started in Tamaqua.

“Grandfamilies” is a term created in response to the growing number of households where grandparents are raising a second family, their grandchildren. Some estimates put the number of grandparents stepping up to raise their grandchildren at more than 2 million and growing in the United States. The numbers have increased so much that Congress passed, and President Donald Trump signed, the “Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act” in July 2018.

On a national level, the bill created a Federal Advisory Council, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its charge is to “identify, promote, coordinate and disseminate information about resources and best practices to help relative caregivers meet the health, educational, nutritional and other needs of the children in their care as well as maintain their own physical and mental health and emotional well-being.”

While that brings national attention to the issue, it takes time for such policies and help to trickle down to the small towns where older adults are faced with caring for young children during their retirement years.

The reasons behind the increase in families are varied, but extended military deployments and the opioid crisis are the two main reasons in many cases.

Tamaqua Area School District nurses Christine Kostecky and Cathy Miorelli have seen their fair share of affected grandparents. Both are also active in local efforts to deal with the ongoing opioid crisis through STEP-Up Tamaqua and Raiders STEP-Up.

Several weeks ago, Kostecky was dealing with a concerned grandparent, who wished there was some way to share experiences and concerns, a way to talk with other grandparents facing their new responsibilities.

After brainstorming with Miorelli, Kostecky approached Todd Zimmerman of STEP-Up Tamaqua and Lauren Collura at the Hope and Coffee Shop with the idea of setting up a support group. Both were eager to help.

Within a short time, the Tamaqua Grandparents Support Group was formed through their combined efforts, with an assist from Safer Streets For Tamaqua’s Little Feet. Raiders STEP-Up students volunteered to provide care to younger children so grandparents would be able to attend the meetings without worrying about their offspring’s children.

Flyers were posted in various places and the group’s first meeting was listed on several Facebook pages. That first meeting in January drew seven participants.

“Christine and I just served as facilitators,” says Miorelli. The grandparents did a great job of networking. There was a sense of peace, knowing others share their concerns.” Miorelli says she was “most pleased that participants focused on possible solutions, not just sharing their gripes.”

The support group has two more meetings already scheduled at the Hope and Coffee Shop, on Feb. 12 and March 12. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and last about one hour. Several activities are available for children while the adults share concerns.

Hope and Coffee is located at 137 Pine St., Tamaqua. Meetings are open to grandparents from throughout Schuylkill and Carbon Counties.

Kostecky says “The opioid crisis has left families in shambles. Parents are dealing with their adult children’s addictions while trying to give their grandchildren all the love, support and safety they need. In the schools, we see the pain and confusion felt by the grandparents and the students. My hope is to get people the help and resources they need to help solve problems before they arise.”