For grandparents, kinship care can be both rewarding and challenging. Along with the joy of raising grandchildren, there are unique responsibilities — managing finances, finding support, and learning new parenting approaches.

To help, we’ve gathered a list of resources designed for grandparents raising grandchildren in BC.

Financial assistance

Caring for grandchildren can bring financial pressures. In BC, there are programs and grants to support families in this role:

  • Canada Child Benefit (CCB): Provides monthly payments to primary caregivers to help with the cost of raising children under 18.
  • Affordable Child Care Benefit: Offers monthly payments to help eligible families with child care costs. The amount depends on factors such as income, family size, and type of care.
  • Variety BC Child Grants: Provides funding for children with disabilities or complex health needs, including therapies, counselling, and adaptive equipment.
  • RISE Grants (I·SPARK): Offers support for children to take part in activities, sports, and other opportunities that build skills and confidence.

Support groups

Parenting again later in life can feel isolating, but you are not alone. Support groups are a great way to connect with others who understand your situation.

  • Parent Support Services Society: Offers weekly online support groups for grandparents and kinship caregivers, as well as an annual Grandparents Day Picnic, an in-person event to connect with other kinship families.
  • GRG/Kinship BC Facebook support group: A private online community for grandparents raising grandchildren and other kinship caregivers in BC. Members share resources, information, and support with one another.
  • Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Circle (Comox Valley Transition Society): Provides weekly in-person gatherings where grandparents raising grandchildren connect, share, and find encouragement and resources.
  • Belonging Network (that’s us!): We offer weekly and monthly online support groups, as well as quarterly in-person events for adoptive and permanency families, including kinship families. These groups bring together caregivers who are facing unique circumstances or challenges, or who simply want to connect with others.

Workshops and learning opportunities

Raising grandchildren often means facing challenges that require new tools and approaches. Workshops and training can help you build skills, strengthen relationships, and feel more confident in your role.

  • Trauma-Informed Parenting workshop (Belonging Network): A three-part online workshop designed to provide tips and tools for trauma-informed parenting and to help caregivers understand the relationship between trauma and adoption.
  • Family Resource Programs (Options Community Services): Offers drop-in programs for parents, grandparents, or caregivers of children from birth to six years old. At various community locations, children can play and build friendships while caregivers receive support and resources on parenting and child development.
  • Legal Aid BC: Provides legal advice and representation for eligible individuals in areas such as family law, criminal law, and more.
  • Fairness for Children Raised by Relatives: Kinship caregivers working to improve financial support and services for children being raised by relatives. They share resources, advocacy updates and opportunities to connect with others who are navigating similar challenges.
  • Kinship Care Helpline (Parent Support Services Society): Offers support, advocacy, and resource information for grandparents and relatives raising children. Call 1-855-474-9777.

If you’re raising your grandchild, you don’t have to do it on your own. Support is out there, so you and your family can feel supported and thrive.

If you have any questions, or would like a referral to trauma-informed professionals or one-on-one guidance, our Family Support Specialists are here to help. Call or text 778-897-1315, or email familysupport@belongingnetwork.com.