Grandparents play a vital role in the growth and development of children. They provide formal and informal supports for families, ranging from occasional babysitting, to full- time child care, to full-time custody of their grandchildren.
The Durham County Department of Social Services (DSS) understands the critical role played by grandparents and the support they need for successful support of their grandchildren. On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, from 8a.m. until 4p.m., Durham County DSS will host a one-day conference that focuses on how individuals and the community can support grandparents and other relatives who play a key role in raising children.
The conference is free and open to grandparents and other relative caretakers, non-profit and government service providers and community leaders who desire to discuss the vital role of relative care in families. Workshops during the conference will focus on the
Building Every Chance Of Making It Now and Grown Up (BECOMING Grant), law and policies, legislative initiatives and needs and resources for relative caretakers. The keynote speaker for the conference will be Minnie Forte-Brown, chair of the Durham Public School Board.
Pre-registration is required to attend the conference hosted at Rogers-Herr Middle School, located at 911 Cornwallis Road, Durham. Lunch will be provided for attendees.
For questions about the one-day conference, contact Rhonda Stevens, assistant director for the Family Economic Independence Division for the Durham County DSS, at 919-560-8338. To register, contact Diane Fening, processing assistant for the Durham County DSS, at 919-560-8398 or via email at dfening@durhamcountync.gov.
