Foster Grandparent Program
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. Foster Grandparents spent 88,872 hours working with children throughout Southern Oregon during 200 7 - 2008. Currently, one hundred ten seniors from Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties are enrolled in the program with placements at: 11 day care sites, 3 Head Start Centers, 47 schools, 2 after-school program, and 6 special placements.
An example of a special placement is the Klamath County Juvenile Detention Facility. One Foster Grandparent helps 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 $1,128/month for one person or $1,518/month for two-person household.
Benefits:
- $2.65 per hour non-taxable stipend
- On-the-job accident and liability insurance
- Mileage reimbursement at $.30 per mile
- Hot lunch when possible each day of service
- Accrued personal time leave
- Annual physical examination & Tuberculosis Test
- Pre-assignment training plus ongoing training at monthly in-service meetings
Duties:
Volunteering a minimum of 15 hours per week to a maximum of 40 hours per week, working with children in a supervised setting. If you do not qualify for the stipend, you need to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours a week.
For more information, please refer to the following site:
The program creates a 'win/win' situation for everyone involved. The children benefit from the experienced, compassionate care they receive, and the Foster Grandparents benefit by gaining personal fulfillment.