Texas Kincare Taskforce to Offer Symposium June 27-29 in New Braunfels
NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS (May 25, 2010) ˜ More families are finding themselves blended in their responsibilities for caring for kinfolk without knowing what rights and responsibilities they have or what resources are available to help in their efforts, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist.
The Texas Kincare Taskforce will try to help answer those questions and provide much needed information at a Kincare Symposium scheduled June 27-29 at the T Bar M Conference Center, 2549 Highway 46 West, New Braunfels.
The symposium is targeted at both professionals and non-professionals serving as kincare providers, said Andy Crocker, AgriLife Extension program specialist-gerontology and health in Amarillo.
"This can be grandparents raising grandchildren, or it can be aunts and uncles and older siblings who are raising the children of other family members," Crocker said.
This type of blended education environment allows for the sharing of knowledge and skills with the element of personal experience, he said. The symposium aims to educate about the issues kincare families face as well as highlight available resources.
The early registration fee for both professionals and non-professionals is $75 and must be received by May 28. Regular registration will be $100. Registration, whether early or regular, is per family and more than one family member can attend.
The symposium will begin at 9 a.m. June 28 and end at 3:45 p.m. June 29. Those planning to check in for lodging at the resort can come after 4 p.m. on June 27. Lodging is $99 per night.
"We have several speakers who have been instrumental in bettering the lives of kincare families, including those in the legal field, academic research and policy makers," Crocker said.
Day one program topics include: gaps in service, role of early childhood intervention, the legal system as it pertains to kincare, caregiver panel discussion on raising a minor child, Social Security benefits, Texas Health and Human Service Commission assistance and family law for kincare families.
The second day will have sessions on mental health issue of children in kincare, well-being of grandparents, resources available for support such as Area Agencies on Aging, AgriLife Extension, Mental Health Mental Retardation and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, followed by two sessions on advocacy and role of support groups.
Application has been made for continuing education units for social workers and attorneys participating in the program, Crocker said.
In addition, a Happy Camper program will be offered for children ages 5-10. This program includes lunch, play activities and swimming and is available June 28-29 for a fee of $60 per child per day.
For more information, e-mail ssanchez@tlsc.org with "Symposium" in the subject line, call 512-477-6000 or contact Crocker at abcrocker@ag.tamu.edu or 806-677-5600.
Editor’s Note: This article by Kay Ledbetter was provided as a news release by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and AgriLife Research on behalf of AgNews Newsteam.