Need parenting support? The 2023 Upshur County Grandfamilies program to kick off June 8

BUCKHANNON – The Healthy Grandfamilies program is now accepting participants for its summer session.

The 2023 summer session of the program will begin June 8 and occur every Thursday until Aug. 3. Lori Ulderich Harvey, executive director of the Upshur County Family Resource Network, said the free program will take place at the Upshur County Park Pavilion at the Upshur County Recreational Park with an 11:30 a.m. lunch and a presentation from noon to 1 p.m.

“These sessions are for any grandparent with full- or part-time care of their grandchild/grandchildren, regardless of the circumstances,” Harvey said. “The sessions are very informal with great discussions.”

Each week will offer a different speaker on topics such as navigating the legal system, technology and social media, parenting in the 21st century, the education system and more.

“The grandparents we’ve had in the past have really enjoyed being around other grandparents in the same situation,” Harvey said. “It has become an informal support group, and we really encourage talking and sharing the high points, the low points – we’re there for all of it. If we have a grandparent that’s going through something, we will stay over and talk to them as long as we need to.”

Each grandparent will receive a grocery gift card upon program completion with other items interspersed throughout the sessions.

“We will have childcare provided, and it’s very informal,” Harvey explained. “We’re here for the grandparents, to get them the information they need, whether it’s as a group or as an individual.”

More information about the program can be found by calling the Upshur County Healthy Grandfamilies Coalition Coordinator Lori Ulderich Harvey at 304-473-1051 or emailing upshurfrn@yahoo.com. You can also click here to view the event on Facebook.