An excerpt from the introduction:
Over the past two decades, the number of grandparents serving as primary caregivers for their grandchildren has steadily increased. Nationally, 42% of all grandparents living with grandchildren function as the primary caregivers (U.S. Census, 2006).
In the southern region of the country, this phenomenon is particularly salient, and expected to continue, with estimates that range from 7% to 15% higher than in 2000 (U.S. Census, 2004). Kentucky is no exception, with 67,394 children living with their grandparents, 58.8% of those grandchildren fall under the responsibility of their grandparents (American Community Survey, 2005). In fact, Region IV – which includes the state of Kentucky – has the greatest density of grandparents as head of household, many of whom are poor and of advancing age (U.S. Census, 2004). Projected demographic trajectories predict this trend will continue, necessitating the development of programs and services to address the unique needs of these modern day families
