Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

This newsletter will house the materials from each meeting.

For questions/comments/suggestions, contact Sue Toth, Director of Special Education,

South Lyon Community Schools: toths@slcs.us or 248-573-8220.

Raising a grandchild or another relative's child can bring unique challenges and rewards. To help navigate this journey, the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Other Caregivers Support Group offers a safe and understanding space. This group is a proud partnership between South Lyon Community Schools (SLCS) and the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA), providing a supportive community for caregivers. We meet monthly during the school year to share experiences, gain valuable insights, and connect with others who understand your situation. Please join us to find encouragement and resources. Meetings are held at the SLCS Administrative Building, 345 S. Warren, South Lyon, 48178.

October 29, 2026

SLCS Administrative Building

345 S. Warren, South Lyon, 48178

North Conference Room

• Job Corps - With over 120 campuses across the United States, Job Corps provides free career training and education. Here, students get the experience they need to begin a career or apprenticeship, or advance to higher education. Some graduates even join the military. The best part? It’s free. https://info.joinjobcorps.com/beginhere/

• United Way Southeastern Michigan - https://unitedwaysem.org/ - This organization helps to connect families with resources. Call 211 to speak to a local 211 specialist who can help find caregiving tips, tools & guides for medical management, financial guidance, connecting with other caregivers, and more. Visit aarp.org/211care

• Michigan Promise Zone - https://promisezonesmi.com/ - This website explains how the Promise Zones work and how Michigan became the only state in the nation to encourage the creation of local Promise scholarship initiatives. It will also provide you with basic information about the individual Promise Zones and how to connect with each.

• Michigan Reconnect https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect - Michigan Reconnect (Reconnect) is a last-dollar scholarship program that pays for you to attend your in-district community college tuition-free or offers a large tuition discount if you attend an out-of-district community college.

• Resources for household utilities https://www.truenorthservices.org/ - True North, https://thawfund.org/ THAW, https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Consumers Energy also gives senior discounts.

• Summer camp through United Way https://unitedwaysem.org/resources/summer-discovery/how-it-works/ - Summer Discovery is back and families don’t have to pay anything! The program has reached nearly 30,000 students at 169 sites across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties with hands-on learning, enrichment, and fun-filled experiences.

• Supports to caregivers - call 211 to find respite care near you.

https://fosteringsuccessmichigan.com/library/tip

SLCS Family Partnership Series - As part of South Lyon Community Schools’ commitment to supporting our community, a series of free virtual presentations have been scheduled for the 2026-2027 school year. Please see below for information about the FREE remaining sessions that are offered and register today! Note that registration IS required in order to receive the virtual link.

Contact Sue Toth, Director of Special Education, for more information at 248-573-8220.

In order to attend the virtual events, please use THIS form to register to receive the meeting link.

Be You Therapy is offering FREE therapy sessions through December with their intern, Maya Mackey. Ms. Mackey has experience working with individuals navigating various mental health struggles including anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, and associated family dynamics. Be You Therapy also has therapists specializing in OCD, eating disorders, parent support, athletes, and executive functioning. Contact Be You Therapy for more information at 248-290-8197 or admin@beyoutherapy.com

Resources for Grief

1. Ele’s Place - Healing center for grieving children, teens, young adults, and their families. Four branch locations support families throughout Ann Arbor, Flint, Lansing and beyond. https://elesplace.org/

2. Sandcastles Grief Support - grief support to children, teens, and families who have experienced the death of a loved one. https://aboutsandcastles.org/

3. New Hope Center for Grief Support - grief support for families - has annual camp for bereaved children (free) https://newhopecenter.net/

4. Grief Links

Neptune Society (Cremation and end‑of‑life services designed to make arrangements affordable, straightforward, and respectful for families during the loss of a loved one)

https://neptunesociety.com/

1. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren | OLHSA - Local program offering free services in Oakland, Livingston, and Macomb Counties. https://www.olhsa.org/grandparents-raising-grandchildren

2. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy - explores challenges and positives, provides therapy suggestions, has resources linked. https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/grandparents.aspx

3. Support for Grandparents as Parents – Raising Grandchildren, Kinship –...-AARP site has many resources for grandparents. https://www.aarp.org/relationships/friends-family/info-08-2011/grandfamilies-guide-support.html

4. Grandfamilies.org - Helpful site - looks more legal support - has a positive vibe https://www.grandfamilies.org/

5. One Page Flyer - Positives of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren - visually attractive information about benefits of grandparents raising their grandchildren. When children cannot remain in their parents’ care, research shows they do best in grandfamilies. https://www.grandfamilies.org/Portals/0/Documents/General%20Kinship%20Publications/23-Children-Thrive-in-Grandfamilies.pdf

6. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren | Hazelden Betty Ford. Grandparents play an important role in providing safe and stable homes to children who cannot remain in the care of their parents. https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/research-studies/addiction-research/grandparents-raising-grandchildren#:~:text=There%20is%20consistent%20and%20substantial,experience%20significant%20levels%20of%20depression.&text=These%20rates%20of%20depression%20have,those%20of%20the%20general%20population

The Child and Family Advocacy Certificate Program is a joint program at Michigan State University offered by the College of Law and the School of Social Work. They advocate for children involved in the court system in many different cases. Families can gain information/resources about child custody, supervised visitation, child protection, guardianships, child support issues, and adoption matters.

https://www.law.msu.edu/clinics/childhood.html

Kinship Care Resource Center/Chance at Childhood Clinic

Community Programs of the School of Social Work | Michigan State University

email: careyjon@msu.edu

A statewide program with lots of resources that can help with school, IEP, care, and ABA services

Courtney Stillman Email: CStillman@dabsj.org

(see Trauma and your Child IEP attachment)

email anna@annabuerky.com | Phone: 573-291-2391
https://www.annabuerky.com/

1709 John R Road | Troy, MI 48083 | Phone: 586-268-4160

A Center for Independent Living serving Huron, Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties.

https://www.dnemichigan.org/

A non-profit organization in Oakland County, Michigan, that provides support, friendship, and inclusion for individuals with special needs and their families through recreational, social, educational, and vocational programs. Founded in 1994, it connects children and adults with disabilities with volunteers, fostering a community of compassion and empowerment, and has grown into a global network with its flagship Michigan location supporting thousands locally.

https://www.friendshipcircle.org/

A not-for-profit law firm providing a range of free civil legal services to people who are low income, older adults and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serving residents in Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties. Phone: 1-888-783‑8190

https://lakeshorelegalaid.org/

Maryann Bruder phone: Phone: 248-530-4455 ext. 1223 | email: mbruder@lakeshorelegalaid.org

(LSSCM) provides free legal advice and representation to low-income individuals, families, and older adults in Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw Counties.

Legal Services of South Central Michigan - Washtenaw County Office | Michigan Legal Help

Help with IEP's/504's

https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/maf-offices/

For legal assistance, contact the Counsel & Advocacy Law

https://michiganlegalhelp.org/

Jane Argiero

Supervisor | RRT Region 4

Family Specialist | PARC Region 5

3840 Packard Rd. | Suite 170 | Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Phone: 517-937-7580 | email: Jane_argiero@judsoncenter.org

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, call (855) MICH-KIDS or visit fcnp.org

Follow them on Facebook, twitter & Linkedn

3254 University Drive, Suite 190
Auburn Hills, MI 48326

248-338-4280

https://mediation-omc.org/

https://www.hopearmy.org/how-we-care/providence-learning-center

Cash for pregnant moms and babies

https://rxkids.org/

The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.