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The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services Aging Services Division developed the Grandparents as Parents Support network (GAPS) to provide assistance in establishing grandparent support groups for grandparents and relatives raising children. This statewide network is designed to encourage and promote the creation of services for relatives who have taken on the responsibility of parenting. GAPS support groups were started in all five regions of the state under the auspices of the Brookdale Foundation Group’s national program, Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP).
 
 The GAPS network supports and advocates for this unique but growing number of caregivers. GAPS offers community networks, technical assistance in the area of support group start-up, program development, training for facilitators, and direction for additional funding.
 
 The Aging Services Division partners with a network of over 200 agencies, individuals and community organizations, as well as 57 support groups that provide service or assistance to grandparents and relative caregivers. The GAPS Network listserv provides information to its members regarding grant opportunities, legislative updates, support group ideas, and other pertinent subjects such as legal issues and community resources.

 

 

Joining the GAPS Network 

To join the GAPS Network contact the Aging Services Division Field Representative, Erin Soli, at the following E-mail address: Erin.Soli@ct.gov 

 

 

Grandparent Caregiver Support Groups

Please follow this link for a listing of:

 

 

  

If you are a grandparent or other blood relative caring for a relative's

child(ren) full-time, you are providing kinship care.  The Kinship Navigator, funded in part by the Department of Social Services, is available online through 2-1-1 United Way of CT.  The Kinship Navigator provides a comprehensive listing of resources and services available to relatives raising children.  For more information and to access 2-1-1's Community Resources Database and/or perform targeted searches for services in your area visit:

 

    http://www.infoline.org/focus/kinshiplist.asp 

 

 

 

For more information on the GAPS Network, please contact the area agency on aging in your area by calling 1-800-994-9422 (in CT), or by visiting their website:
 
 For the eastern area: www.seniorresourcesec.org
 
 For the south central area: www.agencyonaging-scc.org
 
 For the southwestern area: www.swcaa.org
 
 For the north central area: www.ncaaact.org
 
 For the western area: www.wcaaa.org
 
Follow this link to the map of Connecticut to find the Area Agency on Aging serving your town. 

 

 

 

Additional Resources:

The Children’s Law Center of CT offers free legal services regarding family law issues. For more information please visit their Law Line. The toll free # is 1-888-LAW-DOOR or (1-888-529-3667).

 

The link is http://www.clcct.org/lawline.html

 

 

 

 

GAPS Photo Gallery

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"No Child Left Inside" Initiative - a partnership with the CT Dept. of Environmental Protection & DSS Aging Services GAPS Network - "Grandparents Family Fun Day" at the Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield - July 12th, 2008.

 

 

September 27th, 2008

 

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Grandparents' Family Fun Day at the Elmwood Community Center

- a GAPS Network Event. Sponsored by DSS Aging Services Division and the Elmwood Senior Center