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This version was published on August 1, 2008
Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 29, No. 8, 995-1012 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0192513X08316545

"We Have No Rights, We Get No Help"

The Legal and Policy Dilemmas Facing Grandparent Caregivers

Bethany L. Letiecq

Montana State University, Bozeman, bletiecq{at}montana.edu

Sandra J. Bailey

Montana State University, Bozeman

Fonda Porterfield

Montana State University, Bozeman

Guided by an ecological perspective on family policy, this qualitative study used family life history interviews to document the legal and policy dilemmas faced by 26 grandparent caregivers residing in Montana. Most grandparents (n = 18) were caring for their grandchildren in informal or private care arrangements. Findings revealed four legal or policy contexts that hindered informal grandparent caregiving, including the lack of a kinship care navigation system, the lack of legal rights, fear of the child welfare system, and disparities between informal and formal kinship care policies. Future policy directions, including expanding subsidized guardianship programs and granting informal grandparent caregivers' legal authority over their grandchildren, are discussed.

Key Words: grandparent caregivers • grandparents rearing grandchildren • kinship care policies


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