The Michigan Kinship Conference Seeks to Build Strong Relationships within Families

DETROIT - Sept. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Bridging Generations, NSO, Franklin Wright Settlements and WCCCD are hosting the MICHIGAN KINSHIP CARE CONFERENCE on Friday, September 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wayne County Community College District (Northwester Campus), 8200 W. Outer Drive, Detroit in the Lewis Education Center.  This year’s theme for the 8th Annual Michigan Kinship Care Conference is RESET: Today vs. Yesterday.  The event is free but registration is required to attend. To register, please call the Detroit Area Agency on Aging RSVP Hot Line at (313) 446-4444, ext. 5804 by September 11, 2015.

Looking at today’s current issues facing kinship caregivers, bringing together information, resources and enlightenment to address issues and challenges grandparents and relative caregivers face with raising their children. Professional speakers who are experienced in their topic of discussion will address the following:

·  What If I’m Stopped by the Police, Presenter: Senator Burt Johnson
·  Financial Literacy—Getting the Most Out of My Money, Presenter: Kevin Butts, KS Credit Education Solutions
·  What to Do If Your Child Finds a Gun, Presenter: Sgt. Dale Dorsey, 3rd Precinct
·  Drugs You Don’t Know About, Presenter: Andre Johnson, Detroit Recovery Project
·  Housing Assistance, Presenter: Dina Harris
·  Let’s Talk About Sex, Presenter: Michelle George, M.S.N., R.N. Public Health Nurse
·  Cyber Bullying: Social, Media Safety Presenter: Officer James Knox, 6th Precinct

Kinship families form as a result of biological parents being unable to care for their children due to outside circumstances.  Typically, kinship caregivers include grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, other relatives, and close friends of the family.  Many of the caregivers provide permanency and safety by preventing children from entering into institutional care such as foster care.  Because increasing numbers of relatives are raising children, it is important to take into account the availability of resources to provide for the legal, financial, nutritional, medical, educational and emotional needs of children and families.

About Detroit Area Agency on Aging: DAAA, whose mission is to promote healthy aging and enhance the quality of life for older adults, is a private nonprofit agency established in 1980. DAAA serves more than 136,000 older adults age 60 and over and caregivers residing in the City of Detroit and metropolitan areas including the five Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park annually.  For further information call (313) 446-4444 or visit www.DetroitSeniorSolution.com