Pashinski: Grandparents raising grandchildren deserve more help

WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski on Tuesday said many grandparents are in a very challenging situation physically, mentally and financially — the situation when they are caring for their grandchildren.

Joined by advocates, legislators and grandparents who are raising their own grandchildren, Pashinski spoke at a news conference in Harrisburg that was aimed at emphasizing the critical issue of grandparents raising grandchildren and passing legislation to address this very serious problem.

“As legislators, it is important for us to hear from advocates and those who are directly affected by a particular issue,” said Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre. “We are holding this news conference with many advocates and grandparents who shared their personal stories, to ask our legislators to provide the necessary support.

“Children are our future and regardless of the circumstances, all of us need to find ways to support those children so they can grow, learn and become vibrant citizens to give back and continue our responsibilities in life.”

In 2017, Pashinski said Pennsylvania had approximately 90,000 grandparents raising more than 235,000 grandchildren because the children’s parents were unable to care for their own children safely or appropriately. He said that in the vast majority of cases, drug or alcohol dependency was the main issue.

Pashinski said the opioid epidemic, which has been declared a public health emergency, has contributed greatly to the problem.

“That is why it is important that we all come together to create solutions to support these children without causing undo financial, physical and mental stress to the grandparents who are taking care of them,” Pashinski said.

Pashinski said the news conference and rally were aimed at raising awareness of the need for state funding and support for the state and local government agencies that assist grandparents/kinship guardians who are raising grandchildren.