DESCRIPTION:
It is estimated that 2.6 million children are raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, other extended family, and close family friends who step forward to care for them when parents are unable. With the rise in heroin and other opioid use, more relatives are raising children because the parents have died, are incarcerated, are using drugs, are in treatment or are otherwise unable to take care of their children. We understand that these children experience physical and cognitive health challenges as their caregiver’s face hurdles with housing, school enrollment, health, and legal issues as they struggle with their own grief. This webinar will present evidence-based interventions designed to strengthen the resilience of these children along with tested approaches for supporting grandparents in this role.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants in this webinar will be able to:
- Identify the trends around children being raised by grandparents because of the opioid crisis
- Explain how children and grandfamilies are impacted by the opioid epidemic, including as they navigate these relationships
- Identify strategies for building skills and support systems for grandparents that are assuming the responsibility of caring for vulnerable grandchildren
CERTIFICATES:
Registrants who fully attend this event or training will receive a certificate of attendance via email within two weeks after the event or training.
PRESENTER:
Chuck Klevgaard, BSW, CSPS
Chuck Klevgaard is a nationally recognized expert in substance misuse prevention, public health, and school-based health. Drawing on his experience in collective impact and prevention-focused partnerships, he builds the capacity of states, tribes, schools, communities, and cities to use evidence-based substance misuse prevention and intervention strategies. He specializes in behavioral health support; training and technical assistance; and evidence-based alcohol, opioid, and substance misuse programs and policies. Nationwide, he provides trainings to prevent opioid overdose, including working with first responders to administer naloxone. As a consultant to Great Lakes Prevention Technology Transfer Center, Klevgaard provides training and technical assistance to substance misuse prevention entities within the Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. Klevgaard, a Certified Senior Prevention Specialist through the Illinois Certification Board, Inc., holds a BSW from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
The Great Lakes PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.