For Immediate Release

February 9, 2004

RICE/GILL BILL WOULD ESTABLISH GRANDPARENTING RESOURCE CENTER PILOT PROGRAM

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senators Ronald L. Rice and Nia H. Gill which would establish the "Grandparenting Resource Center Pilot Program" was released by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

"Throughout New Jersey , many grandparents have taken on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren," said Senator Rice, D-Essex. " This bill would provide those grandparents with the necessary resources to find legal assistance, health care and other needed services to assist them in their efforts."

"The ‘Grandparenting Resource Center Pilot Program' would help New Jersey grandparents find the resources they need to help them raise their grandchildren," said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic. " Raising children is a challenge, and we want these grandparents to know that they have the state's support."

The bill, S-64, would direct the Commissioner of Human Services to create the two-year pilot program, establishing regional resource centers in the Northern, Central and Southern regions of the state. The centers would be open to grandparents currently raising their grandchildren in these areas of the state.

In addition to establishing the resource centers, the bill would appropriate $1.5 million to fund the resource centers. The bill also would instruct the Commissioner to seek additional grants from the federal government and private foundations for programs geared toward assisting grandparents raising grandchildren.

Any public or private organization seeking to operate a resource center would be required to apply to the commissioner for a grant of funds.

Eighteen months into the program, the commissioner would report to the Legislature and the Governor on the effectiveness of the pilot program and present recommendations for continuing and if necessary, expanding the program.

The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.