The Foster Grandparent Program has a dual mission of engaging persons 60 and older, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs and to provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. Foster Grandparents provide supportive, person-to-person service to children having exceptional or special needs.

Description:
Foster Grandparents provide at least 15 hours per week of love and attention to children with special or exceptional needs. Foster Grandparents provide service in elementary schools, pre-school daycare centers, head start programs, proprietary health care facilities and residential facilities. Foster Grandparents receive a non-taxable stipend of $2.65 per hour, transportation assistance and numerous other benefits. The Red River Valley Foster Grandparent Program currently covers the Eastern half of North Dakota, with its offices in Grand Forks.

History:
The Foster Grandparent Program started in 1965 as a federal program under Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. In 1967 the Foster Grandparent Program started in North Dakota at the Developmental Center and moved to Grand Forks in 1977. The Red River Valley Foster Grandparent Program has expanded over the years and now covers the Eastern half of North Dakota.

Contact people:

Karen Hillman, Project Director, (701) 795-3112, (email) Margaret Johnson, Coordinator, (701) 795-3112, (email)

Office fax number: (701) 795-3050

Address:

151 S. 4th Street, Suite 401 Grand Forks, ND 58201 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.seniorservice.org/redrivervalley_fgp