Date: March 2, 2005
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
BarbaraConant@aging.state.ks.us
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Kansas Department on Aging Secretary Pamela Johnson-Betts announces the creation of the state’s first Grandparent or Relative Caregiver of the Year Award. KDOA is now accepting nominations for the 2005 award to recognize grandparents and relative caregivers who provide outstanding care to a child or children in their care.
In announcing the award, Secretary Johnson-Betts noted that in Kansas more than 37,000 children live with their grandparents, most of whom look to their grandparents as their primary caregiver. “This award is an opportunity to recognize the dedication and commitment of these grandparents and relative caregivers,” Secretary Johnson-Betts said. “This is a small way of publicly saying ‘thank you’ for their contributions to Kansas and to their families.”
Members of the KDOA Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP) Task Force will review the applications and select the award winner. The RAPP Task Force serves as a focal point for information on relative care-giving programs and policies.
To be eligible for the award, an individual must be a grandparent, step-grandparent, or a relative by blood or marriage of a child who is younger than 19 years of age. The nominee also must meet all of the following conditions:
Nominations must be submitted no later than April 1. Nomination forms can be mailed to Marva Williams, KDOA Community Relations and Grant Specialist, 503 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3404 or faxed to (785) 296-0256. Nomination forms are available for downloading at this website, or may be requested from Ms. Williams at marvawilliams@aging.state.ks.us or by phone at 1-800-432-3535; (785) 291-3357.
Award winners will be notified in advance of the presentation in May at the Governor's Conference on Aging Services in Topeka . Please consult with nominee(s) before submitting an application.