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Grandparents and other relatives play an important caregiving role in family well-being. Support from extended family is especially vital in families with low incomes.
Policies and regulations should prioritize placing children in foster care with grandparents and other caregiver relatives whenever possible and appropriate.
Federal and state programs help many older people with low incomes. These programs provide access to vital services like income support and health care.
Public-benefit programs should ensure that families headed by grandparents and other caregiver relatives receive sufficient support for economic security and well-being.
Two federal programs help states provide a broad range of social services important to older adults.
Policymakers should expand opportunities for people to volunteer in their communities. This includes older adults and people with disabilities.
Food and nutrition programs should have adequate funding to engage in robust outreach efforts.
Congress should increase funding for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) programs. Funding should reflect the increased population of older Americans.
The federal government should require state CSBG and SSBG officials to consult with state and local agencies and organizations representing older people and other groups served by the programs.
Policymakers should streamline and coordinate application procedures among different public-benefit programs.