Larimer County Alliance for Grandfamilies

Abstract

Grandparents who raise grandchildren have needs that often are not met by service providers. In an effort to meet these needs in northern Colorado, a team of community members and grandparents established the Larimer County Alliance for Grandfamilies (LCAG). The LCAG’s mission is to support the health and well-being of grandfamilies through community education, development of support systems, and advocacy for change. To better understand the LCAG’s collaborative approach, an evaluation was conducted 13 months after the initiation of the Alliance. Responses to survey questions indicate that LCAG has benefited individuals who serve grandfamilies, the community, and grandparent providers by increasing community awareness and partnerships. Conclusions and suggestions are made for professionals seeking assistance to build sustainable community partnerships to support contemporary aging issues.