Recorded presentation

Dionne Jones, MSSA¹, Anne Sowell, LISW, ACSW², Tangela Woods, LSW³, and Quanisha Lavender, LSW³. (1) Department of Social Services, Metrohealth Center J. Glenn Smith, 11100 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44108, 216-249-3600 x6077, djones@metrohealth.org, (2) Department of Social Services, MetroHealth Broadway Center, 6835 Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44104, (3) Department of Social Services, Metrohealth Center for Community Health, 2500 East 79th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106

Although societal changes have altered the African American family structure, a large percentage of African American grandparents maintain a traditional role in the lives of their grandchildren. Some of these traditional grandparents are likely to seek assistance from human service professionals to help with the transition or enhance and foster this role. To better understand the ways in which human service professionals might develop and implement programs to foster this relationship, the relationship between traditional African American grandparents and their grandchildren will be examined. A 25-item survey will be administered to traditional African American grandparents receiving medical care and social services at The MetroHealth Community Health Center’s John Glen Smith and Kenneth W. Clement, Eastern Satellites. Interventions recognizing cultural differences are needed to assist with transition to the grandparent role. The goal of this study is to provide an assessment of grandparents in the greater Cleveland area in order to assist with the design and implementation of social service programs that will enhance and foster the intergenerational relationship between traditional African American grandparents and their grandchildren.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

Analyze assessment of traditional African American grandparents to impact the development and implementation of programs that foster and enhance intergenerational relationships with their grandchildren. At the conclusion of this program traditional Human Service professionals (learners) will be able to
• Evaluate and define the role of traditional grandparents.
• Assess intergenerational relationship needs of African American grandparents.
• Develop and implement culturally sensitive programs that will enhance and foster the intergenerational relationship between traditional African American grandparents and their grandchildren.

Keywords: African American, Family Involvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation