<<back to IN THE NEWS

(Largo, FL) - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County is participating as the direct service provider in a pilot program through the Caregiving Youth Project of Pinellas, an initiative of the Caregivers Support Network. Big Brothers Big Sisters will identify middle and high school aged children involved in family caregiving and work with other organizations, including The Children’s Home and Family Resources, to offer comprehensive in-home assessments, in-school groups, wrap-around services, and referral services.

The focus of the Caregiving Youth Project of Pinellas is to identify, recognize and support caregiving youth so they will know that they are not alone, and to equip them with skills that they need to help them with their responsibilities. Caregiving Youth Project of Pinellas will also provide an in-home evaluation and an opportunity for respite, tutoring and recreation to help normalize childhood.

“These youth may suffer adverse effects physically, psychologically and academically with the increased stresses associated with taking care of a sick or disabled family member, or other siblings” said Susan Rolston, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Through this collaboration, we are excited to expand our mentoring services and offer many children in our community the support that they need, ultimately helping them reduce anxiety and depression associated with caregiving responsibilities.

In 2006, students at Largo Middle and Largo High School self-reported that almost one in three have caregiving responsibilities. Through the pilot program, Big Brothers Big Sisters will identify the youth caregiving students at these schools to engage in their mentoring programs as well as assess the families’ needs in other areas, in which community resources and collaborative partners in the project will offer assistance.

The pilot project is being funded by grants from the Baxter International Foundation and Morton Plant Mease Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy.

To learn more about the Caregiving Youth Project of Pinellas, call 727-437-1639 or visit www.caregiverssupportnetwork.org/CYPP.html.