Appendix 216-A Support Groups

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Aging Services
Home and Community-Based Services Manual

Chapter:

200

Effective Date:

Section Title:

Support Groups

Reviewed or Updated in:

MT 2021-06

Section Number:

Appendix 216-A

Previous Update:

Characteristics of Support Groups

Support groups:

  • create a safe and supportive environment in which participants can discuss their experiences

  • provide respite from the cares and worries of day-to-day problems

  • educate and inform members

  • assist members in developing methods and skills for solving problems

  • encourage personal growth and development of members

While a support group can offer emotional support and aid in finding resources, a support group is not a replacement for:

  • formal, private (one-on-one) counseling with a professional

  • legal advice from a practicing attorney or paralegal

  • direction from a licensed school psychologist or guidance counselor

  • any other services that depend upon professional training and certification[1]

Starting a Support Group

Selecting a meeting site[2]:

Consider using churches, schools, banks, social service agencies, hospitals, libraries, YMCAs, YWCAs.

Keep in mind that some grandparents are reluctant to attend meetings at "social service agencies" so you may wish to hold meetings at a "neutral" facility.

Consider the following when selecting a meeting site:

  • Is there a separate and safe area for the children to meet/play?

  • Is public transportation available?

  • Are there kitchen facilities for meal/snack preparation or to accommodate food deliveries?

  • Is the area private?

  • Is the area accessible to persons with disabilities?

Identifying grandparents who are raising grandchildren:

Outreach efforts should attempt to identify grandparents through several sources, for example:

  • Public/private schools/school boards/PTAs

  • Pre-schools and day-care programs

  • Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs

  • 4-H Clubs

  • Pediatrician and dentist offices

  • Local public health departments and clinics

  • After school programs

  • Community centers

  • Church bulletins

  • Grocery stores

  • Banks

  • Social service agencies

  • Hospitals

  • Libraries

  • Senior centers

  • United Way

  • Police and Sheriffs’ departments

  • Lawyers

  • Court systems

Ways to market and promote support groups to the community:

  • Develop a one-paragraph, easy to read summary describing your group and how it will benefit grandparents and grandchildren.

  • Develop a flyer announcing the group, meeting date, time, location, childcare, contact person, phone number. Post this in:

    • grocery stores

    • drug stores

    • banks

    • childcare facilities

    • libraries

    • hospitals

    • church bulletins

    • senior or community centers

    • doctors’ offices

    • health clinics

    • Head Start programs

    • social service agencies

    • local Departments of Family and Children Services

    • social service or counseling agencies or

    • request it be sent home with school children or in school newsletters

  • Have a "kick off" event in collaboration with an agency, hospital, library, or school on an issue relevant to grandparents raising grandchildren.

    For example: An evening or lunch hour presentation by an attorney discussing guardianship or custody issues. Supply the support group with “take away” information and have grandparents "sign in" at the session.

  • Contact local newspaper reporters and ask them to write an article on grandparents raising grandchildren; mention the support group.

  • Contact local TV and radio stations regarding opportunities for public service announcements and talk shows.

What Makes a Good Support Group

Although what is "good" differs for each person, there are some universal signs that indicate a well-functioning group[3]:

  • Up-to-date, reliable information

  • Prompt response to contacts

  • Regular meetings or newsletters

  • Access to appropriate professional advisors (for example, doctors, therapists for grief support, or employment attorneys for workplace discrimination)

  • Strong leadership

  • A clearly stated "confidentiality" policy

  • Ensuring accessibility of the support group by planning for the time, location, and availability of transportation

1. Adapted from Support Group Training Manual for Kinship Caregivers and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, State of Arizona, Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging.
2. Adapted from materials developed by the Illinois State Unit on Aging
3. Adapted from Genetichealth.com web content