Meeting the Unique Needs of Grandparent-Headed Families: Developing an Interdisciplinary, Family-Centered Program Using a Community-University Partnership Model

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 61
  In Roundtable Session: Leveraging Collaborative Family, School, and Community Partnerships to Support Students

Abstract

Using a community-university partnership model, this two-year study engaged custodial grandparents and their grandchildren in an interprofessional, family-centered program with university faculty and students from education, social work, and physics. Based on semi-structured interviews, the benefits of participation for grandparent-headed families include support around intergenerational learning, family unity, and home-school partnerships. Based on interprofessional focus groups and reflective essays, findings also suggest that university students from education, social work, and physics can benefit by gaining a deeper understanding of the unique and multifaceted needs of non-traditional families and the ways interdisciplinary collaboration can help to better address them. Findings also suggest that developing and implementing such programs present challenges that range from scheduling issues to time constraints.

Authors

• Youjung Lee, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Elizabeth McKendry Anderson, Binghamton University - SUNY

• Bonggu Shim, Binghamton University - SUNY