Harrison County Board of Education to work with grandparents raising grandchildren

West Virginia State University's Healthy Grand Families program presented in front of the Harrison County Board of Education during its meeting on Dec. 5, on ways to help local grandparents who are raising grandchildren.

The co-project director spoke to members of the board on how the Mountain State is number 2 in the nation of most grandparents raising one or more of their grandchildren. She says this can be a struggle for many reasons, including being a 21st century parent.

She also says the project will start with a shoestring budget in Harrison County.

"This is a pilot to see pull resources that are already existing within the county's structure to offer," said Bonnie Dunn, co-project director. "So far they're doing a tremendous job."

Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin says he's surprised over the large number of grandparents raising their grandchildren here in West Virginia. He hopes the Board of Education can help give enough resources and offer classes to those grandparents that need it.

"So tonight we went over some programs we're going to intervene to help these grandparents through West Virginia State University," he said. "Our staff will work closely with this program, perhaps we can get a grant."