Mental Health America–Maui to sponsor third annual seminar.

Mental Health America–Maui (MHA) will sponsor the Third Annual Kupuna and Childcare Seminar, “Kupuna: Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren,” on Tuesday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the J. Walter Cameron Center Auditorium. Refreshments and childcare will be provided.

The seminar will start with a welcome at 11 a.m. followed by guest speakers at 11:15 a.m. and breakout seminars at noon. The breakout seminars will cover support and legal resources available to grandparents. The seminar will close with a brief summary and a question-and-answer session at 1 p.m.

According to recent U.S. Census estimates, more than six million children across America are living in households headed by grandparents or other relatives. From the two previous forums, MHA has learned that more kupuna are raising their mo‘opuna (grandchildren) against tremendous odds. This points to the need for counseling, educational, respite and support services specifically geared towards Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG).

A recent statewide study on GRG authored by Dr. Lori Yancura of the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was sent to this year’s state legislative session to offer recommendations.

The public is invited to learn about this study, listen to some of the “GRG stories” and join in the discussion of the recommendations offered.

This seminar is presented in partnership with ALULIKE Inc., Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Maui Community Children’s Council, The Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, Hale Makua Home Health & Foster Families, Maui Family Guidance Center, Maui Family Support Services, Neighborhood Place of Wailuku, Maui County Office on Aging and the State of Hawai‘i Office on Aging.

The forum is free and open to the public. Two Continuing Education credits are available for a small fee for those registering at 10:30 a.m.

Mental Health America–Maui is a volunteer, nonprofit citizen’s organization which works to promote mental health, reduce stigma and prevent problems associated with mental illnesses and to improve the care, treatment and participation of children, adults, families with mental illness through public education and advocacy. Mental Health America–Maui is a Maui United Way Agency.

For more information, call Colleen O’Shea Wallace of the MHA at 242-6461.