Virginia Cooperative Extension is dedicated to supporting families and creating nurturing environments for children. We firmly believe every child deserves to grow up in a loving family, preferably their own. However, there are times when children cannot live with their parents. This is where our team comes in. 

When children cannot live with their parents, they should be given every opportunity to live safely with relatives or those with whom they have a family-like relationship. Did you know that almost ten percent of Virginia's children under the age of 18 are currently living in homes where grandparents or other relatives are the householders? We are committed to providing these families access to various programs and services.

Our vision is to ensure that every child and their relative caregivers receive comprehensive support. This includes information and referral services, peer support, respite care, recreational activities, and family advocacy. We recognize that each family is unique, and we are dedicated to providing tailored support to help them thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.

Our commitment is to create a safe, loving, and supportive environment for every child in our community.

Whether you're a grandparent, an aunt/uncle, or a family friend, we are here to provide confidential and non-judgmental information to you and your family. We provide:

  • information, support, resources, and referrals, tailored to each family’s unique circumstances 
  • linking caregivers to community support (i.e. legal, public assistance, respite, educational, housing, faith based, etc.) to ensure stability and safety within the home 
  • peer support and programs for kinship caregivers, youth, and children, too!

As a caregiver, we invite you to call us today to learn how our monthly support group, peer mentoring, and summer respite programs can support you. Please reach out to us at (540) 775-3062 or email lvwright@vt.edu.

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Are You A Grandparent Raising A Grandchild.pdf
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