Kinship Connection to meet in Warrensburg, Clinton this week

Care Connection has partnered with ParentLink of University of Missouri to present regular support groups for grandparents and other relatives raising children in Johnson and Henry counties.

The next Warrensburg meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, and continue the third Tuesday of every month at the Trails Regional Library, 432 N. Holden St.

The first Clinton meeting will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Friends of the Library building at 123 E. Green St.

All participants will receive a gift pack at each meeting, and the program will offer kinship caregiver credit for licensure through the state of Missouri.

Each session will provide practical information that adults 55 and older can use in their daily role as a grandparent or relative raising a child. Topics include challenges and stressors, wellbeing of children, and ways to help oneself and family.

ParentLink has curriculum that covers parenting subjects such as grief, valuing cultural differences, trauma, the impact of substance abuse, providing stability, and self-esteem.

Participation in the groups is free. To learn more, call Tammy Wilkey at 660-438-3300, ext. 3, or Lisa Lewis at 800-748-7826.

The Kinship Connection Program is aimed at relatives who have the challenging task of caring for grandchildren or other relatives  younger than 18.

The Kinship Connection and Family Caregiver programs are provided by Care Connection for Aging Services, a nonprofit area agency on aging serving people 60 and older. Care Connection operates 21 locations in these West Central Missouri counties: Bates, Benton, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis, Saline, St. Clair and Vernon. Its mission is to provide opportunities to create positive aging experiences. For more information, visit www.goaging.org or call 1-800-748-7826.