The Foster Grandparent Program of Southern Oregon was founded in 1975. It is a part of the federal agency Corporation for National and Community Service and is sponsored locally by Rogue Valley Manor. One hundred and fifty-five Foster Grandparents spent 86,327 hours working with children throughout Southern Oregon during 2001-2002. Currently, one hundred thirty-three seniors from Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties are enrolled in the program with placements at: 8 day-care sites, 9 Head Start Centers, 53 schools, 1 after-school program, and 9 special placements.

An example of a special placement is the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Facility. Two Foster Grandparents help to implement individual lesson plans for troubled youth during the young persons stay at the facility. The role of the Foster Grandparent is to offer nonjudgmental ongoing support and assistance to a youth who may have little support from family members. The love and attention provided by these seniors certainly aids in the reform of delinquent youth from our County.

The Foster Grandparent Program's dual focus is:

1. Senior volunteers age 60 and older provide one-on-one assistance to children with special needs and children-at-risk age 21 and under.

2. Children benefit from the individual assistance and learn to bond with an adult who brings a lifetime of experience and love to the relationship.

To Qualify:

• Must be 60 years of age
• Annual income may not exceed $923/month for one
  person or $1,244/month for two-person household.

Benefits:

• $2.65 per hour non-taxable stipend
• On-the-job accident and liability insurance
• Mileage reimbursement at $.25 per mile
• Hot lunch when possible each day of service
• Accrued personal time leave
• Annual physical examination and tuberculosis test
• Pre-assignment training plus ongoing training at monthly in-service meetings
  

Duties:

• Volunteering 20 hours per week
• Working with children in a supervised setting

For more information, please refer to the following sites:

• 2001 Foster Grandparent Program Annual Report
• Southern Oregon Foster Grandparent Placement Site List
• National Senior Service Corps Foster Grandparents
• Information about Becoming Involved
• Partners in Service with Foster Grandparents