Bill Overview
Title: Supporting the Well-Being and Mental Health of Grandfamilies Act
Description: This bill extends the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren for four additional years and limits the number of nonfederal members serving on the council to 10.
Sponsors: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in grandfamilies
Estimated Size: 5400000
- The bill focuses on 'Grandfamilies', which refers to families where grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren.
- Globally, grandparent-led households occur due to various socioeconomic and cultural factors, prevalent in both developed and developing countries.
- In the United States, around 2.7 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren, according to US census data.
Reasoning
- The policy targets grandfamilies, making it crucial to simulate interviews from individuals who either are part of grandfamilies or have close ties to them.
- The budget constraints mean that the policy cannot reach every grandfamily but aims to influence systemic change that could benefit them over time.
- Well-being changes in Cantril scores will vary depending on the direct impact of the policy on individuals, whether through direct support services or changes in community resources and attitudes.
- We consider geographic diversity as grandfamily challenges may differ between rural and urban areas.
- While billions of dollars are projected across 10 years, immediate impacts may be limited to awareness and initial coordination of services, reflected in the Year 1 outcomes. Longer-term benefits might reflect policy maturation and broader systemic support.
Simulated Interviews
Retired school teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy will bring in more structured support, like mental health workshops for grandparents and the kids.
- Financial aid could relieve some pressure; raising kids on a fixed income is tough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 57 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to services is key. Hope this policy brings more awareness and availability to rural areas.
- Emotional support for grandparents is needed, often we're forgotten.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired nurse (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need policies that create long-term stability, perhaps advocating for more respite services.
- Mental health services tailored for both grandparents and grandchildren could be a game changer for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired accountant (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm expecting some financial relief… programs need to address urban living costs.
- Counseling for teenagers and guidance for grandparents on modern parenting strategies would be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired factory worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 74 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- They should consider health-related support; we're struggling to keep up physically over time.
- A lot rides on these policies—support groups and practical help could be lifelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any council initiatives should address diversity in grandfamily structures and needs.
- Policy changes need to translate into practical benefits, not just advice but implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Homemaker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Financial aid and behavioral support are my priorities; they're crucial with our limited income and special needs.
- I hope for real, practical changes—not just talk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired social worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic but hope that policy changes are real and enforced, not just guidelines.
- Focus on long-term effects and establishing reliable support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired civil servant (Denver, CO)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If actual services are improved, not just talked about, that would help the most.
- Creating real community changes should be priority.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Part-time librarian (Boston, MA)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm cautiously hopeful. Better awareness and concrete actions would be appreciated.
- It's vital that policy impact reaches the grassroots level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The council focuses on developing recommendations and policy advice to assist grandparents raising grandchildren, which could lead to future legislative or administrative actions.
- Administrative and operational funding for the council's extended operation constitutes the primary cost.
- Potential indirect effects could arise from future policy shifts informed by the council's work, affecting budgets and resource allocations on broader socio-economic issues.