SUBJECT: National Office NZ Report February 2007

Incredible people doing incredible things: greetings and Kia Ora.

Data Base 3315 carers

Nga mihi nui, hope you are well.

UCB/Orphans Benefit/Foster Care Increases in Payments: April 1 2007
To get a handle on this and exactly what it means:
• All Foster care people get an increase of $10 per week per child.
• If you are getting Carer Support along with UCB you get an increase of $10 per week per child.
• If you are just getting the UCB only you get an increase of $20 per week per child.

Government Press Release:
Some 10,000 caregivers will receive additional payments, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope and Ruth Dyson, Associate Social Development Minister (Child, Youth and Family Services) announced today.
All caregivers who receive an Unsupported Child's Benefit, Orphan's Benefit or Foster Care Allowance will receive an increase in their weekly payments from 1 April 2007. "The increase recognises the valuable contribution caregivers make to New Zealand's children, particularly those children who are unable to be cared for by their parents," Ruth Dyson said at the opening of the International Foster Care Organisation conference today. "Frequently, grandparents or other extended family members have to step in and provide care," said Ms Dyson.
All recipients of Unsupported Child's Benefit, Orphan's Benefit and the Foster Care Allowance will receive an additional $10 per week, per child, in line with the increases to Family Support payments. "The changes will provide additional financial assistance to approximately 7,460 caregivers and 3,000 foster parents, who care for a combined total of approximately 15,000 children," said Mr Benson-Pope.
In addition, people receiving an Unsupported Child's Benefit and Orphan's Benefit (who are not receiving a Care Supplement) will also receive a further $10 per week as a contribution toward care costs. The increases take the rates of payment of Unsupported Child's Benefit and Orphan's Benefit to between $117 per week and $153 per week per child.
"The increased payments represent a first step toward providing enhanced support for family caregivers, particularly grandparents. It recognises both the value to children who cannot be looked after by their parents, as well as the financial constraints often faced by caregivers," said Mr Benson-Pope. "Further policy work is underway on the provision support for family caregivers and will examine issues around care for extended family members."

Changes to Unsupported Child's Benefit/Orphan's Benefit rates: Changes to Foster Care Allowance rates:

Some of our GRG Members Comments:
Well isn’t our Govt. so nice, because I am going to get an extra $20.00 a week a total payment of $153.05 for *** on UCB at the age of 15. But I still don’t get clothing grants, medical, education, sports and activities and camp costs covered. YET if she was under foster care I would get $173.67 with all the extras. So far for her to be in Year 11 at College I have had to purchase footwear and uniform items ($255) Stationery ($85) Home Ec. ($60) Dragon Boat fees ($60) and that is just the start of the year. Then the doctor charges $25 a visit plus medication costs, WELL THATS WHAT YOU GET FOR BEING A GOOD GRANDPARENT!!!!! But I guess money doesn’t always buy happiness and that is what I get by seeing her grow happy and healthy.
• We are raising just as vulnerable children as Foster Care why are we discriminated against?
• Unlike Foster care people who are usually younger, we are older and on a fixed income!
• Interesting to note they kept very quiet about all the ‘extra’s’ Foster care get, this effects the bottom line!
• I am thrilled as this will help so much.
• This is just wonderful for me and my moko, we have been struggling to make ends meet.
• This announcement was a matter of timing not a big gift! Mr. Benson-Pope has failed to tell folk that the bump is only marginally higher than the cost of living increase that all beneficiaries receive every year at this time! We are this year paying $1200.00 plus in school fees, stationery and uniform costs for our 11 year old grandchild whom we have been raising for nine years. We will also pay approximately $450.00 for swimming lessons. Children of this age eat like they are GROWING and require frequent extensions to clothing in consequence.

Media statement – Monday, 12 February 2007: Turner: Grandparents still waiting in the dark
United Future family issues spokesperson Judy Turner is pleased by the $10 week reduction in the gap between rates given to grandparents raising grandchildren and foster carers, but is calling for the Minister to finally express some timeframes for when grandparents can expect the same funding as foster carers.
"I am pleased that the funding gap is being closed by $10 - but this is still far short of giving grandparents the same rates as foster carers to support the children in their care. "Labour promised back in 2005 to give grandparents the same support that they would get if they were fostering - but now in 2007 they are still waiting. "In 2006, the carer payment gap actually increased between kin-carers and foster carers, so it's pleasing that this gap will close a little after April 1. "However, kin-carers are still ineligible to apply for grants for items such as school shoes, Christmas presents and other one-off purchases that foster carers are entitled to. "I met last year with Ministry of Social Development officials and Mr Benson-Pope to try and speed up the process and resolve any barriers that may be stopping carer rates becoming aligned - but grandparents have been waiting in the dark for too long without being told what is happening. "It is time the Minister told those waiting for their benefit to improve, exactly where proceedings are at and a date by which they will have the extra support they have been promised," Mrs Turner says.
GRG Trust NZ also thanks National Council of Women NZ and Child Action Poverty Group for their media support also.

PRESS STATEMENT: Income boost for children welcomed by advocates
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has welcomed the government's announcement this week of an increase of $10 per week per child in payments for children who do not live with their parents.
The increases will help some of our most vulnerable children. The new money is secure, non-conditional income which is sorely needed. But it is only a long-overdue next step to addressing poverty among children who live with their grandparents or extended family.
Payments for these children still lag behind those allocated for non-kin foster care. This creates a double standard, the unfairness of which has already been acknowledged by Minister for Social Development, David Benson-Pope. But the true gap is wider than payment levels alone suggest, as on top of these basic payments children in foster care are allocated clothing grants, and have their medical, education, sports and activities and camp costs covered. Grandparents and other kin carers do not receive these, despite their often fixed incomes and the fact that the children likely have high needs. Increased hours of paid work on top of care responsibilities would be impossible and/or downright harmful for many.
CPAG asks the Ministry to ensure parity in caregiver payments urgently and to remove discrimination in all payments for the support of children.
• Increases affect the Unsupported Child Allowance/Orphans Benefit and Foster Care Allowance.
Contact: Rachel Somerfield, CPAG Administrator, admin@cpag.org.nz tel. (09) 303-9260, (021)1067380 www.cpag.org.nz

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PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Speaking of Muesli bars:
The National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) is disappointed with the Minister of Social Development's announcement that grand parents are to receive only part of the increase they have been expecting. NCWNZ believes the amount, which "reduces the disparity" in allowances paid to Foster parents versus grandparents or kinship carers, is a failure to recognise the seriousness of the situation.
The Minister has in effect just handed grandparents raising grandchildren a "muesli bar", rather than delivering on the promise which would see these families receive the same entitlement as foster parents," said Christine Low, NCWNZ National President. "The Minister himself has already described the inequity as 'inherently unfair', yet he appears reluctant to resolve it, instead opting to fall back on 'we are working on it'."
NCWNZ believes that many groups are tiring of half-measures and the 'narrowing' of gaps; people want parity. Hon. David Benson-Pope has the power to correct this situation. "The level of poverty in New Zealand is being widely discussed by all. While not every grandparent carer is living below the poverty line, there are sufficient 'just getting by' to recognise that this part of the community needs more help. The majority of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren are retired and are on fixed incomes, i.e. Superannuation," continued Christine Low. "This isn't simply a matter of helping the grandparents; it is also about helping the children in their care, and recognising that they are our social investment."

GRG Co Nominated:
Paula Eggers our GRG Co from Nelson has been nominated for Nelsontonian of the year. Congratulations Paula you do a wonderful job for our people. Well deserved!

GRG Trust NZ:
We are 8 years old this month: WOW! Where has time gone? Look what we have achieved! On March 1st and 2nd GRG co-ordinators will be coming up to Auckland for a 2 day training session. We look forward to seeing those who have attended before and those whom we have never met but only spoken to via phone or by email. We are grateful to be funded by COGs for this.

School Camps 07:
If you have grandchildren or Kinship children and are a member of the GRG Trust, we may be in a position to pay their camp fees direct to the school concerned. This is offered nation-wide and we would like applications before the END OF MARCH 07. Either email us or phone our 0800 number if out of Auckland.
What you will need to let us know.
• Name & age of child • Your name & address
• School they attend and school’s address • Cost of Camp
First in first served!

Special Needs Grants for Septic Tank Maintenance:
From Oct 1 2006, eligible low income homeowners are able to get assistance with the cost of repair and maintenance of their septic tank. The maximum amount payable is $300 in any 2 year period, reflecting the current cost of maintenance. Homeowners must meet the criteria that Work & Income normally apply for Special Needs Grants, including an income and asset test. The need for the repair and maintenance of their septic tank must be immediate and essential. Contact work & Income on 0800 774 004: Source: Te Puni Korkiri Fact sheet # 33.

Rates Rebate:
The rates rebate scheme is a subsidy to assist up to 300,000 low income New Zealanders (not just the elderly) with the cost of their rates. Ratepayers apply to their local council for a rates rebate. For more info contact Dept of Internal Affairs on 04 495 7200 (not a free phone) or visit www.dia.govt.nz Source: Te Puni Korkiri Fact sheet # 33

Significant change to Superannuation:
From July 1st 2007 around 2,000 superannuants with a spouse or partner living in long-term residential care become eligible to be paid the single, living alone rate of NZ Super. This is an increase of $59 a week, or $39.36 per week for a Super sharing with another person. Source: Te Puni Korkiri Fact sheet # 33 return to top

By Nancy USA: GRG Raising Grand Boys:
When the little boys first came to us, I shuddered. At eight months apart, they were as close as I was going to get to raising multiples. The youngest wasn’t yet walking, both were in diapers. Their vaccinations weren’t current, and the noise level in out house tripled overnight although there were only two more children. They weren’t just twice the trouble. They were brains and brawn. One child would make the plan, and without seeming to communicate, the second child would put it in motion. One knew where the cookie jar was, the second knew how to get it and where to hide the broken pieces. The first knew just what words to use to disarm the irate granny and poppy that ruled their roost.
To those of your raising or having raised multiple births, I salute you. If you have grey hair, congratulations, you have earned every one of them. If your home is still standing, I congratulate you. If your furniture is still on one piece, I am in awe of you, and if there is only one set of crayon tracks on the toilet seat, I am amazed. You are a miracle worker, and really should be studied by National Geographic or The American Medical Journal or some other investigative magazine. Perhaps you could analyze your techniques and become a national consultant on the subject of managing and raising multiple children sanely....you are, aren’t you?

ENROLMENT NOW OPEN
Special Needs Vocational Training:
Masada offers all school leavers and also those who are at home a chance to participate in an NZQA learning and Training programme. Focusing on -
• Life skills • Social skills
• Confidence building • Supported employment opportunities
• Students also participate in horse riding, sport & gym activities, cooking & baking
Open every day, Mon - Fri from 8:30am to 3pm daily
We welcome carer support funding: 2 days of carer support per week required for 1 week of attendance – an opportunity to make friends, meet people and enjoy each day interacting with others. For more information, contact Norma-Jean Vickers on 09 576 5229 or e-mail masada.c@xtra.co.nz or visit our website on www.masada.org.nz return to top

Residential/Respite Home for Special Needs:
Are you looking toward the future of your precious young kids? A second home to cater for the needs of 4-5 young adults aged 15 years plus is to be established shortly. Situated in Bucklands Beach East Auckland with a permanent house mother, this home will afford your son or daughter a chance at independent living.

Sun Safety is Important:
Hey Grandparents/Kin Carers - we need to keep our children safe - the SunSmart people note the following:
Being SunSmart in New Zealand is crucial. The unique environment makes the population particularly vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet rays. There are clear skies and the closeness to the sun. Add to these the outdoor lifestyle of Kiwis and some very fair skins, and you have the following facts:
• Skin cancer is the most common cancer in this country.
• New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
• There are nearly 50,000 new skin cancers a year, including 1800 new cases of melanoma.
• There are over 300 deaths from skin cancer annually.
Sun Safety in Schools
Schools and Kindergartens in New Zealand are very aware of sun safety for children in their care. They should all follow the principles of ‘slip slop slap and wrap’ laid down by the government in Sun Smart programme and they require the cooperation of parents to achieve this. Your children will be at school during the most at-risk period of the day - 11am till 4pm, so it is vital that they are protected from the sun, particularly in terms 1 and 4.
Slip Slop Slap and Wrap
Slip on a shirt
At school the children often have a uniform which will usually cover their shoulders and half of their legs. If the kids are not in a uniform then ensure they are wearing a T-shirt style which does not leave their shoulders exposed to the sun. Long shorts or skirts are also preferable to protect the sensitive skin on the thighs.
Slop on the sunscreen
Apply generously, using a high SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30. The sunscreen should meet the New Zealand and Australia standard AS/NS2604. Cover all areas of skin that are likely to be exposed to the sun during the day. Buy big containers to keep at home (pump packs are great), which work out cheaper and make applying sunscreen part of the morning routine, just like brushing teeth.
Roll-on sun screens are a great idea for school bags, so that the kids can top up the sun screen during the day, particularly if they have been swimming. They are easy to use and less messy.
Slap on a hat
All school uniforms should include a hat, with a wide brim. These are much more effective than caps as they protect the face and neck from the mid day sun.
If the choice of hat is up to you then a broad brimmed hat or bucket hat can be purchased from any big clothes store, pretty cheaply.
Wrap on some sunnies
Sun glasses are easily accessible for kids; they are cheap and colourful, but you need to ensure they have the AS1067 safety standard on them. It is unlikely that kids will wear these at school, but they can be encouraged to wear them at the beach particularly to protect their eyes from the glare of the sun off the sand and water. return to top

Guess who has been invited to go to New York!
First International Summit for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers
Grandparents Caring for Children:
A Global Challenge
May 6 – 8, 2007 – Marriott on the Bridge Hotel – New York City, NY, USA
Initial Sponsors:
The National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights
The Florida Kinship Centre – University of South Florida GRAND Magazine

SUMMIT GOALS
Millions of the world’s children are at risk because of recent dramatic increases in family breakdowns, national disasters, and global catastrophes. Now, more than ever, grandparents and other relatives are a natural resource of international importance. Governments must maximize the use of these alternative caregivers in order to meet the need for building and rebuilding strong families.
The first step is to listen to the cumulative experience of the world’s grandparents and kinship caregivers.
These caregivers, especially grandparents, are a traditional and universal voice for families. The world’s matriarchs and patriarchs speak with the moral authority of our collective cultures. Their representatives from five continents will come together in New York City to analyze the barriers facing kinship caregivers and define principles, best practices, and laws that might better support their families.
Summit participants will convene on the final day to create an international coalition and to vote on a set of resolutions declaring the rights of grandparents, kinship caregivers, and the children in their care.

SUMMIT EVENTS
Sunday, May 6, 2007
3:00 pm First Opportunity: Tour of PSS/WSF GrandParent Family Apartments in the Bronx – Tour Host, David Taylor, Executive Director
6:00 pm “Getting to Know You” Dinner – Join us in the Hotel dinning room (participants responsible for cost of their dinner)

Monday, May 7, 2007
8:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 am Welcome to the World of Grandparent and Kinship Caregiving
NCGCR, GRAND Magazine, The Florida Kinship Centre and dignitaries
9:30 am It Takes a BIG Village – Partnering from the Back Fence to the Board Room – Part I
Diane Vivian, National Convenor, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren™
Trust, New Zealand
Betty Cornelius, Founder, CANGRANDS National Kinship Support, Canada
Anne L McLeish, Director, Grandparents Australia, Australia
10:30 am Break
10:45 am It Takes a BIG Village – Partnering from the Back Fence to the Board Room – Part II
The Honorable Josefine Koeblitz, Germany
Ambassador Cyril Boynes Jr, Hon. Consul to the Americas, Bunyoro-Kitara, Uganda Christine Leaves, Director, Grandparent Support, England
Linda Silvas, Member, Juaneno Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, USA
11:45 am PSS/WSF GrandParent Family Apartments– David Taylor, Executive Director, Presbyterian Senior
Services, Brooklyn, NY
Noon Buffet Lunch with Keynote Speaker: THAT SINGING RAGE: MISS PATTI PAGE!
Hear about the singer’s personal experience as a grandparent caregiver.
Autograph session included!
1:00 pm A World of Experience: Building Families the Second Time Around – Part I
1. Grand Families Matter – Focusing on Children with Special Needs
Rosemarie Satyshur, Asst Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland.
2. Early Education for Pre-Schoolers, Sarah Walzer, Director, Parent/Child Home Program
3. Changing Habits – the Caregivers Total Workout, Debbie Mandel, Stress Management Specialist, Radio Show Host
4. Grandparents and Grandchildren – Dr. Lillian Carson, renowned psychotherapist and author
2:30 pm Power Break
3:00 pm A World of Experience: Building Families the Second Time Around – Part II
1. The Importance of Effective Advocacy,
Jack Levine, Founder, Generations Institute
2. Substance abuse in Families, Linda Silvas – Native American Lecturer and Author of Mama Bear, Baby Bear
3. Submission and Discussion of Summit Resolutions – Part I
Limited to 30 participants including summit international invitees
6:00 – 8:00 A Toast to You!
Wine and Hors d’Oeuvres – A great opportunity to meet and mingle

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
8:00 am Continental Breakfast and Registration
9:00 am Weaving a Legal Safety Net for Children Living with Relatives – Panel Part I Judge Warren McGraw, State Supreme Court Justice, USA
Judge Josefine Koeblitz, Germany
TBA
10: 00 am Power Break
10:15 am Weaving a Social Service Safety Net for Children Living with Relatives – Panel Part II
Social Services Director Dennis Nowak, Suffolk County, NY, USA
Social Services Director Louise Skolnik, Nassau County, NY, USA
Presbyterian Senior Services Program Director Katherine Martinez, Bronx, NY, USA
11:00 am Creating and Nurturing National Partnerships in the United States
Donna Butts, Executive Dir., Generations United
Amy Goyer, American Association of Retired Persons
Cassaundra Rainey, Child Welfare League of America
David Levy – Children’s Rights Council,
Representative TBA – Children’s Defense Fund
Noon Lunch with a Message – From Family Value to Legal Value: The Right to Care
Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, Author and Expert on Grandparent Issues, USA
Gerard Wallace, Esq., Director, Kincare Support Project, Albany Law School, Albany, NY, USA
1:00 pm Raising the Spirit / Raising the Child
1. Program Development
Kevin Brabazon, Lecturer, New York University, USA
Cultural Parenting
2. Cultural Parenting – Charlene Ingram – Child Welfare League of America
3. Discussion on Summit Resolutions – Part II
2:30 pm Break
2:45 pm Plenary Vote on Draft Resolutions and the Organization of International Coalition
4:30 pm Closing Remarks return to top

Canadians recognise GRG’s:
January 23, 2007 – CANADIAN PRESS
Grandparents and other extended family members who care for Ontario children in need of protection may be eligible for the foster care rate of $900 a month and other supports, Children and Youth Services Minister Mary Anne Chambers announced Tuesday.
Chambers said the government is changing the rules so children who are unable to grow up with their parents because of protection concerns have the chance to live with family members whenever possible. “If grandparents can be enabled to step in and alleviate the need for kids to even be taken into care, that would be a big plus,” Chambers said in an interview. “Having removed the huge barrier to adoption (by grandparents), we’re expecting that more kids can have permanent places and be out of the system.” Only about 10 per cent of children in care in Ontario are adopted each year, and Chambers said the barriers now being removed prevented about 75 per cent of Crown wards from being adopted by family members. Chambers said some grandparents only learned their grandchild was up for adoption after the process had ended and the child was placed with someone else. “I’m a grandmother too, and I thought I would just go crazy if that happened to me,” Chambers said. “This goes a long way to saying to grandparents, `We recognize the importance of your involvement in children’s lives and we’re making the process so much easier for grandparents to be involved in their grandchildren’s lives.”’
Some grandparents said Tuesday they spent up to $20,000 in legal fees to fight for access to their grandchildren because under the previous system, they had no rights to the child. “This announcement will give grandparents validity and credibility as a viable option when children come into care, so we’re really thrilled with that,” said Sheila Volchert of Second Chance for Kids. “Grandparents won’t have to go through the court system and spend thousands of dollars to get their biological grandchildren. So this is huge that we will now have status.” Volchert said there are “more and more grandparents, many of whom are widows, on fixed incomes taking care of their grandchildren and in desperate need of financial assistance.” Other groups said many extended families in Ontario have wanted to care for vulnerable relatives, but until now could not get the funding or services they needed. “This now will pave the way for grandparents that are coming behind us that are about to have their grandchildren apprehended (by the Children’s Aid Society),” said Betty Cornelius of Cangrands, a support group for grandparents.
Cornelius said the $900 a month in foster parent funding will make “a huge improvement” in the lives of children who move in with grandparents or other relatives. Chambers said the Children’s Aid Society will consider grandparents, family members or even members of the community to see if they qualify as foster parents, and if they need extra financial help for such items as child safety seats. The grandparent groups complained they don’t want case workers involved in their family lives, but Chambers said the CAS would get involved only as required after the adoption or legal custody has been sorted out. “It’s not a mandatory situation for them,” she said. The Conservatives and New Democrats said they want to see details of Chambers’ plan, but believe the government’s announcement is a good first step to helping grandparents gain access to their biological grandchildren before the kids become wards of the Crown.

Unclaimed Tax Money:
Inland Revenue has said it has a total of $4.8 million in unclaimed money. Go to www.ird.govt.nz and search under ‘unclaimed money’. From there you can easily check your surname, business name etc. The site tells you how to go about claiming this money. Remember some may be deceased family members. return to top

Take Control of Your Defiant Child: By Dr Anthony Kane
There is an old fable whose origins I forget which talks about contest between the Sun and the Wind to see who is stronger. In order to settle the debate they identify a man who is walking on the street and make a contest to see who can get him to take off his cloak. The Sun moves behind a cloud and lets the Wind goes first. Blowing with all his might the Wind tries to strip the man of his cloak. However, the man resists by holding his cloak tighter and tighter. In the end the Wind gives up. He was unable to force the cloak off the man. Next it is the Sun's turn. The Sun comes from out behind the cloud and begins to shine with all his warmth. The man gets hot and willingly takes off his cloak. The Sun is the obvious winner.

The Moral: Warmth is stronger than force.
This moral is something we all intuitively recognize. It is much easier to get someone else to do something
willingly that it is to force him against his will. What amazes me is that most child behaviour programs and techniques seem to ignore this obvious truth. Most child behaviour programs don't even address using warmth at all. They focus on ways of forcing your child and bending his will to obey yours. For obvious reasons this is setting you up to have to work much harder to get your child to obey you. Isn't it easier to get your child to do something that he wants to do than to force him to do something against his will, yet for some reason most child behaviour programs work on ways to coerce your child to listen to you. In reality forcing your child to obey you may do even more damage than doing nothing at all. What will happen is that you use 'behavioural tricks' and coerce your child to comply. As your child gets older and smarter he will eventually find a way to side step what you are doing so you need new more advanced tricks. As your child grows you go back and forth always upping the ante. By the time your child becomes a teen you have spent years teaching him how to side step your requests and get around your authority. Is it any wonder parents have so much trouble with their teenagers?

From one of our grandparents!
I may not be rich but my Grandchildren are my jewels.

Other words of wisdom:
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. return to top

Bubbles:
1 1/3 cups of very hot water: 1 ¼ Tbsp glycerine: ¾ Tbsp soap flakes: ½ Tbsp sugar & food colouring:
Pour hot water into a pint jar. Add soap flakes and let dissolve. Add glycerine, sugar and a few drops of food colouring.
Shake until everything is dissolved. Strain thru cheesecloth and let cool. Do not use until all the small bubbles have settled down. Have fun, but do not let the children drink, supervise them.

Finger Paints:
1 cup cold water: ½ cup talcum powder: 1 cup soap flakes: 7 cups boiling water: 1 cup laundry starch: food colouring.
Mix cold ingredients into a paste. Slowly stir in the boiling water. Cook mixture for 5 minutes or so or until it is thick and glossy. Pour into small jars. Add ½ teaspoon of food colouring to each jar. Shake well and store in covered containers.

Di
National Convenor and the team.
E te Atua, aroha mai..... O God shower us with love
Ka kite
* Please pass this on to other grandparents/kin carers you know of.
* Views expressed in this newsletter may not be the views of the GRG Trust.
* GRG Trust Head Office hours are 9am-3pm daily. (We raise grandchildren too)
* We are totally a voluntary organisation.
* All donations to the GRG Trust are tax deductible
* Please feel free to send this report on to others whom you think may be interested.
Abbreviations:
• GRG – Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ™
• H/O – Head Office
• H/B – Handbook
• BOT – Board of Trustees
• CYF – Child Youth & Family Services • Co’s – Co-ordinator/s
• UCB – Unsupported Child Benefit.
• WINZ – Work & Income NZ now DWI – Department of Work & Income
• Grands – Grandparents
• G/c – grandchild/ren
Web: www.grg.org.nz or www.kin.org.nz or www.raisinggrandchildren.org.nz Email office@grg.org.nz
Free Phone 0800 GRANDS or 0800 472637 (not for use for Auckland callers)
Tel: 09 4806530 Fax: 09 4806572 Postal Add: PO Box 34 892 Birkenhead. Auckland
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please contact the Trust Office as this is where the total mail out membership is kept.