Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 7, 1 July 1991 — Foster grandparents guiding next generation [ARTICLE]

Foster grandparents guiding next generation

Eaeh morning in Kona, Kahului, Wai'anae, Honolulu, Hilo and other places in the state, there are senior citizens who are delicately serving children and teenagers with special and exceptional needs in schools, institutions, and special programs. These seniors are called foster grandparents and they are all over 60 years of age and have limited incomes. Eaeh day a foster grandparent ean be seen working with one child at a time. Although love and attention is the main focus, foster grandparents also offer friendship, companionship, training and tutoring. Maraea Tolentino of Kona helps the children to read. Claudio Cortez teaches special education students to sort items into groups. Balbina Fevella may hold a mentally retarded child in her lap as she sits in the rocking chair. Flocerfina Florita cuddles and talk to "high risk" toddlers. Marian Yamada talks with and encourage teenagers in a correctional facility. Foster grandparents are assigned to work with the children and teenagers according to interests, abilities, health of the foster grandparent and size and behavior of the students. Fostergrandparents serve four hours daily, five days a week. This regular presence has made it possible for the children to leam to walk, talk, read, write, do more things for themselves and raise the individual's self-esteem. For example, foster grandparent Ruth was approached by a student who has learning disabilities and who wanted to leam to read so that he could take his driver's permit test. Another student who was assisted by his foster grandparent improved three gradesfrom spring to fall. His self-esteem increased because he found out that he could leam. Foster grandparents hearts are won over when the child they work with gives them a warm hug and greeting when they arrive eaeh day, or the student who learns something they have worked on gives them a look of accomplishment. The feeling of satisfaction, feeiing needed and knowing that they ean make a difference is so priceless to

the foster grandparents that they often forget about their aches and pains. Foster grandparents also leam from the students as they talk and read about different subjects together. The Foster Grandparent Program, whieh is funded by both the Department of Human Services and Auction, also provides other benefits to the foster grandparents. They include: $2.35 hourly stipend whieh is not taxable and not considered as ineome for government programs such as food stamps, housing, SSI, Social Security; a daily meal, transportation allowanee if not eligible for free bus pass, annual physical examinations; vacation and sick leaves; excess accident and liability insurances and training.

If you are, or know of senior citizens who are 60 years or older, who like children, and have incomes below the amount listed below, please eall the Foster Grandparent Program. ineome Eligibility Levels are: Individuals -- $9,515 Couples - $12,765 Family of 3 -- $16,015 Family of 4 - $19,265 For more information eall: Oahu 455-5381 Hawai'i 933-4750 Maui 243-7800 Other islands, please eall collect 455-5381