A decorahnews.com special report: Grandparents raising grandchildren--is help on the way?

Northeast Iowa Grandparents who are in charge of parenting their grandchildren may get a new source of help in the future.

HAWC Partnerships for Children Family Education Program Manager Barb Fjelstul says she is looking at establishing some type of support program or informational group for grandparents.  Fjelstul says she thinks it would be helpful to have a common place where grandparents could turn to their peers who are experiencing the same things.

HAWC covers four counties in Northeast Iowa--Howard, Allamakee, Winneshiek and Clayton (hence the name "HAWC")--and one of the challenges is that the four counties are rural.  That means the number of grandparents raising grandchildren in the area are scattered about.

But Fjelstul says HAWC might turn to other agencies for help in making such support programs work.  RSVP, Helping Services and NEICAC all provide services in Northeast Iowa.  Fjelstul says she will be contacting the agencies.

Fjelstul would also like to hear from grandparents who are raising grandchildren.  You can contact her at her HAWC e-mail: hawcbf@neitel.net