LEBANON — A Loveland grandma who's raising her son's two toddlers is among those hoping Warren County commissioners will decide today to accept a state grant they rejected last year.

IF YOU GO

• What: Warren County commissioners meeting     • When: 5 p.m. today     • Where: 406 Justice Drive, Lebanon

        “I don't understand why they won't take the benefits,” Christine Wright, 51, said.

        She and her husband, Dane, have access to Hamilton County's Kinship Navigator program because one of their grandsons was turned over to them in Hamilton. Warren County is one of just 11 Ohio counties that doesn't have the program, rejecting a $41,000 grant last year. The commissioners referred to it and another state initiative as liberal programs that duplicate existing services.

        Mrs. Wright disagreed: “It's the hardest thing I've ever done, getting used to raising a little one again. You do need that network of other people to talk to.”

        This year's Kinship Navigator grant — $31,649 — would pay for a coordinator to organize support groups and help caregivers negotiate the social-services system, said Madelyn Coons, director of family services for Warren County Community Services.

        If the commissioners don't accept the grant, Ms. Coons said, it will be redistributed to the 77 counties that do have Kinship Navigator.

        It's needed, she said, because those who find themselves caring for grandchildren or nieces and nephews often have not used social services before and don't know where to turn. That was the case with the Wrights.

        Three years ago, their son had a good job making $25 an hour. But he became addicted to drugs and now he's in jail, Mrs. Wright said. The Wrights, both of whom work, now find themselves buying toys and changing diapers for grandsons Seth, 3, and Timothy, 1.

        “I can see people looking at me like "How could you let this happen?' Mrs. Wright said. “Well, it could happen to anybody.”
       

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