Foster Grandparent program seeking seniors 55 years of age or older who meet programs income guidelines. Eligible seniors can earn a stipend for their time. This is not income and does not affect any income or benefits they are receiving.
Foster Grandparents help the teaching staff in educational facilities such as the Harcatus Head Start program, any nonprofit day care facilities and public schools by working one-on-one with children who are having difficulties with their daily tasks.
This is arranged and supervised by the schools teaching staff. Participants are not required to have any background in education, just the patience to help a child and be willing to show support of their accomplishments. Participants also receive round-trip mileage reimbursement to and from the assigned sites in local areas along with reimbursement of time and mileage to monthly meetings.
Foster Grandparents must be willing to serve a minimum of 20 hours per week but can serve up to 30 hours per week. They will earn paid holidays, vacation time, sick time and personal days while serving.
If interested, call Kirk Guisti, coordinator of the Corporation Ohio Appalachian Development Area I Senior Programs Office, at 330-987-7232 or email him at kguisti@coadinc.org. The Area I office covers Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson and Tuscarawas counties with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs.
The office mailing address is P. O. Box 266 Steubenville, OH 43952. Visit the website at www.coadinc.org to see all of the programs and services offered.
COAD celebrated the 50th anniversary of service of the Foster Grandparent program in 2015 and is very proud of the many volunteers serving children in the local school systems and head start. COAD serves the 30 Appalachian counties of Southeast Ohio and partners with their 17 Community Action Agencies that are members, the local agency being the Harcatus Tri County Community Action Organization.
