SUPPORTS TO EXTENDED
FAMILIES CARING FOR
CHILDREN
The 2002 Census Report states that 70,000 grandchildren in Canada are
cared for on a full time basis by grandparents, with no parent involved. Kin-families get very little support from the
government and most people don’t realize that their income has no bearing on
the support given. The Ontario Works Act
states that custody by itself does not carry with it a legal obligation to
provide support. Through no fault of our
own we are ‘parenting again’ and have the same role as foster parents. In other words, all grandchildren are still
in need of protection regardless whom they are living
with.
In view of the above, SECOND CHANCE FOR KIDS (a support group for
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Denied Access Grandparents) have been
advocating for legislative changes to the Child and Family Services Act as well
as the Ontario Works Act to recognize custodial care by extended family members
as a legitimate intervention.
Recommendations were approved by Regional Council in June 2002 that
requested that the Province alter its policy regarding the treatment of the
National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) as income for social assistance
recipients. Unfortunately, retired grandparents are receiving this benefit and in most cases,
automatically disqualifies them for the Ontario Works benefit. A grandparent cannot receive the NCBS and the
Ontario Works benefit as well. As a
result, numerous grandchildren have no medical benefits and we feel, these same children are being penalized by being raised by
grandparents.
On June 17, 2004 The Regional Municipality of Niagara Council endorsed
the following recommendations for caregivers of children. These same recommendations have also been
supported by the Board of Niagara Region Family and Children’s Aid Agency as
well as the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.
That the Province of Ontario amend
the Child and Family Services Act to recognize custodial care by
extended family members as a legitimate intervention and that the related
funding to support these care arrangements be made available.
2.
That the Temporary Care allowance rate pursuant to the
Ontario Works Act be altered to reflect established rates for
similar care by foster parents.
3.
That the Province of Ontario be encouraged to consider
legislative change to permit open adoptions.
4.
That the Regional Chair correspond with the Minister
of Community and Social Services and the Minister of Children and Youth
Services to advise the Ministers of these recommendations and confirm Niagara
Region’s continuous support of these recommendations.
On June 18, 2004 letters with accompanying documentation were sent to
the two Ministers, namely, Sandra Pupatello and Marie
Bountrogianni.
What we are proposing is that every Region throughout Ontario become united in our cause.
Only in this way, can grandchildren raised by grandparents receive the
much needed benefits.
Therefore, if you are interested in becoming a major part of legislative
change, please submit a letter to your local MPP and Ontario Works office with
a copy to the following address. Your
participation in accomplishing this would be greatly appreciated. Only in this way can we make a difference in
all our grandchildren’s lives. Through
no fault of our own, we have taken on this responsibility. After all, we are raising the next generation
and need legislative changes. Our
grandchildren cannot speak for themselves; we need to advocate for them!
We feel that we should be treated the same as foster parents as we are
serving the same purpose by raising these children when their biological
parents cannot. Statistics have proven
in most cases that being raised by grandparents is definitely in the best
interests of children. I would further
mention that most grandparents are retired and living on fixed government
pensions and having to draw on their life savings if any. This makes it very difficult for them to
raise children and further the children’s education as well.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sheila Volchert
Spokesperson
SECOND CHANCE FOR KIDS
905-892-6176
Web
Site:
http://ca.oocities.com/secondchanceforkids/
BILL 27 – An
Act to amend the Children’s Law Reform Act
Be advised, that
Bill 27 went through first reading on May 28, 1998. It was stalled from passage by the government
itself until a new election. Nothing has
happened to date.
Currently,
if the biological parents are unable to care for their children, or if they
choose to deny access to grandparents, then they don’t have the right to see
their own grandchildren. At this point,
costly legal battles can take place.
Earlier this
year, Sheila Volchert, Spokesperson for SECOND CHANCE
FOR KIDS (a Support Group for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren as well as
Denied Access Grandparents) brought this information
to the attention of Kim Craitor, MPP for Niagara
Region.
As a result,
Kim Craitor is planning to reintroduce the same bill
at Queen’s Park that would give grandparents the right to visit their
grandchildren.
Craitor
hopes that if grandparents are recognized as having rights as family members,
it will make it easier for them to receive benefits if they take custody of
their grandchildren.
Other
provinces in Canada, such as Quebec, British Columbia, New Brunswick and the
Yukon already have grandparents’ rights legislation. Unfortunately, Ontario has fallen behind.
An excerpt
from Bill 27 states that “a person who has custody of a child shall not
unreasonably place obstacles to personal relations between the child and the
child’s grandparents.”
If you agree
with the concept of Bill 27, we would appreciate your support letter be sent
to:
Kim Craitor,
M.P.P.
3930 Montrose Road, Unit 8
Niagara Falls, ON
L2H 3C9
kcraitor.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Thanks for
your support. These situations can
happen in any family!
Sheila Volchert
Spokesperson
SECOND
CHANCE FOR KIDS
Web
Site:
http://ca.oocities.com/secondchanceforkids/