| Hi there! This page is really coming along, now. I update as often as I find new resources. Please check back for further information. In addition, if you know of a great link that should be included, please e-mail me. Thank-you! ~ Gramma Didi ~ (Links checked and page updated May 9, 2005) Canadian Links for Grandparent Headed Homes Grandma's Hugs: I established and opened Grandma's Hugs on November 1, 2002. We presently have a small but extremely supportive and knowledgeable group of women from across Canada. This is strictly an email/chat support group for Canadian grandmother's who are either raising or seeking access to their grandchild(ren) and was set up to provide them with lots of love and support from others like them with a little bit of fun thrown in for good measure. Those considering joining should be aware that Grandma's Hugs is sometimes a high volume email group that uses graphics, sound files and stationeries. There is some adult content as well. For the safety and welfare of our grandchildren, we do NOT archive our files. For further information please feel free to contact me. We are also always seeking legal and financial assistance, and welcome researchers as well as reporters who would like to tell our stories while respecting the need for some of us to maintain our anonymity. *Please Note: All potential members to Grandma's Hugs are carefully screened to ensure they meet the requirements of the group and to ensure our grandchildren's safety. Email support and referrals to the applicant's local resources are given as required during this screening process.* Canadian GRAND-Kids! Support Group: Canadian GRAND-Kids! is a secure, community based web site that I manage. It was established for Canadian grandchildren who are being raised by their grandparents. The site is meant to provide peer support, information, and a private chatroom (which is adult monitored when it is open). At present, the children range in age from 8 to 15 years. There are photo albums so the kids can get to know one another; Recommendations pages for Books, Music, Links, etc. which have to be submitted to the site manager for approval before they are posted; an information page about me; a Message Board, Calendar with birthdays and other info; and more! The kids can request to set up a chat as long as I or my assistant manager are available to monitor (the chat room is not accessible otherwise), and there is a quick link that the kids can contact me privately on (via email fed into my instant messenger) if they ever have a problem, or need help, support or advice. Just send me an email for further information, or to apply to become a member. Please provide some information about yourself. *Please Note: All potential members are carefully screened to ensure the safety of the children.* Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - Canadian Resources: Mama Val's is an excellent Canadian website just jam-packed with resources. Here you will find Support Links, Legal Links, and lots of other information. There is also a printable petition to send to Ottawa, and a message board. As many of the parents whose children we raise have addiction problems, Mama Val's has included several links in regards to addictions & the after-effects in our grandchildren (such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). This is a highly recommended site with a wealth of valuable information. Don't miss this one. General Links GrandsPlace: Although American based, GrandsPlace is a wonderful link for ALL grandparents raising grandchildren! You can sign up for their bi-monthly newsletter, there are nightly (and some daily) chat groups with people going through the same things that you are, there are everyday resources, legal resources, a place for kids, and more. Please pay them a visit and browse through their excellent website. Kathy is extremely knowledgeable, and if she doesn't have an answer to your question(s) she can connect you with someone who can help! Check out the GrandsPlace Virtual Quilt, it is awesome! You can obtain tons of information and help at this website. Don't be shy, everyone will help you to feel at home. Legal Links Canada's Access to Justice Network: The Access to Justice Network (ACJNet) is an electronic community that brings together people, information, and educational resources on justice and legal issues of interest to Canadians. It uses new technologies to create and distribute products and services and to facilitate broad base consultations. ACJNet is the only nationwide service dedicated to making law and justice resources available to all Canadians in either official language. This is an excellent website, with links to Statutes, Bylaws, Legal Services, etc. Victims of Crime Website: This is an associate page of ACJNet (above), and is for anyone who is a victim of crime, affected by crime or concerned about the victims of crime. The emphasis is on Canadian information and resources for victims (including family, friends or colleagues of someone who is a victim of crime). It offers a checklist of things that should be done, including information on programs and services, helping victims, the Criminal Injury Compensation Board and Victims Rights to name a few. This is another excellent site! Child Abuse Help and Information CASAT Home Page: CASAT is the Central Agencies Sexual Abuse Treatment Program, and is centred in Toronto, Ontario. CASAT is a coalition of approximately 40 Toronto agencies whose mission is to promote maximum recovery from child sexual abuse. CASAT works to improve services for children, youth and families affected by sexual abuse. They offer an excellent guide called "When a Child or Youth is Sexually Abused...A Guide for Youth, Parents and Caregivers". Some of this valuable material can be read online, or it can be ordered for a very low cost. Although this is a Toronto based agency, there is lots of valuable information on the site in this regard. We were involved with this agency when our granddaughter was sexually abused, and they provided excellent service. Toronto Child Abuse Centre: The Centre was established in 1981 as a municipal response to child sexual abuse. The information on this website includes: What is Child Abuse? Guiding Children's Behaviour High-Risk Adult Behaviours Indicators of Child Abuse Children's Sexual Behaviour Do's and Don'ts When There is a Disclosure Summary of Legal Requirements for Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse Steps in Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse What Parents Need to Know When Their Child Has Been Abused Healing Messages for Children Helping the Abused Child Maintaining a Positive Parent-Client Relationship When Child Abuse is Suspected FAS, FAE, ADD, ADHD, etc. Alcohol Related Birth Injury (FAS/FAE) Resource Site: ARBI is an Alberta based site, but has valuable information for anyone involved with a child who has been affected by alcohol related birth injuries. There is information on education of these children, courses and seminars, information on the diagnosis and treatment, information regarding ARBI's and the law, research information, and more. A very good site with clear, concise information for both the layperson and professionals alike. FASLink: This is the Canadian Fetal Alcohol Syndrome internet support, information, advocacy and discussions forum. Lots of great information from across Canada, on every aspect of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Also has information on ADD, ADHD, discipline, education and learning, and lots of links to other resources. The Feingold Association of United States: This website is a wonderful resource for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and specifically deals with the Feingold Diet. This diet is based upon the principle that diet plays a strong role to achieving better behaviour, learning and health. The Association affirms that diet can trigger one or more of the following symptoms: ADD/ADHD Allergy Asthma Autism, PDD, Asperger's Bedwetting (Enuresis) Conduct Disorder Depression, Mood Swings Earaches, Chronic Otitis Media Eye Problems G6PD Enzyme Deficiency GI Problems, Stomachache Headache, Migraine Nasal Polyps Seizures Skin Problems, Eczema, Hives, Urticaria Sleep Problems Tics, Tourette Syndrome I am not a medical professional, however I have extensive knowledge on the Feingold Diet, and am a firm supporter of it. The diet was originally prescribed for allergies, and is a healthy lifestyle change. However, improvements in behaviour and attention was noticed as a 'side effect'. (If only more side effects can be so good!) I have used the diet with one of my children, and observed a very noticeable positive affect, as did the school. Ooops.... Wrong Planet! Syndrome Autism Spectrum Resources: This is the main page of an excellent and informative Canadian website, which does NOT just deal with Autism. The site is a wealth of up to date information and links, and definitely worth exploring. The two pages below really caught my eye. The Autism Spectrum & Associated Disorders: This is a wonderful starting point for exploring a good basic "spectrum" page that covers far more than the "true" Autism Spectrum - from ADD, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Dyslexia, Epilepsy, Hyperlexia, to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Schizoid Personality, Williams Syndrome and LOTS in between. I highly recommend you browse through this page if you are having any difficulties with your grands, if you suspect any of these disorders. Canadian Resources: This is a superb collection of general Canadian Resources of all kinds! Jypsy has included government links, summer camps for special needs kids, sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, learning disabilities and lots more! Please go and browse around...I am sure you will find at least one resource you really needed to know. |
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