Grandparent Rights Advocates National Delegation (GRAND)

It is estimated that 20-30% of Minnesota Grandparents 'with established relationships with their Minor Grandchildren are not currently allowed to see their grandchildren. This problem is well  studied across all cultures and it is known that children with grandparents do better. Because of the breakdown of Parent and Grandparent communications - usually as the result of Parent conflict and divisive Parent actions - Grandparents are unreasonably denied the right to see their Grandchildren.

All 50 States have Grandparent Visitation Statutes and guarantee Grandparent visitation rights. Minnesota's Statute Section 257C.08 is known as 'restricted' amongst the 50 states as it basically provides no rights to an estimated >80% of Minnesota Grandparents nor any rights to seek help when said Grandparents are isolated from their Grandchildren. 

Since 2014, GRAND-USA and its Minnesota Chapter have tried to get the Minnesota state legislators to support legislation providing basic rights to Grandparents. Many states now support these Grandparent-Grandchild relationships as critical to family preservation and best interests of the Minor Children, i.e. Wisconsin and the Dakotas - but not Minnesota. 

Minnesota as the Best state for Children? Best state for Seniors? Best state for Families? 

We don't agree, as Minnesota continues to 'look away' instead of 'leaning into' and solving the issues. 

Seniors/Grandparents contribute exponentially to Minnesota's tax revenue. In fact, in addition, Minnesota Seniors contribute greater than $9 Billion no cost labor as a volunteer workforce, providing their time and resources, caring for their parents, theiir children, their Grandchildren, and their neighbors. For example, 50% of after school pickups of elementary children are done by Grandparents. 

67% of Millenials still receive $$'s from their parents. 13% of Generation X'ers have adequate savings for retirement. Minnesotans are known as hyper-responsible, and Grandparents are already generiously helping. We all need to work together and combine our talents and resources to provide every Minnesotan all opportunities to achieve their best life. 

Healthy People 2030 and the Five (5) Social Determinants of Health. 

This is the CDC Federal Program and the Structure under which Minnesota aligns its Aging programs and receives federal (our tax) dollars to make improvements for its citizens. Minnesota also receives federal dollars to protect the rights of vulnerable populatons, eg, minor children and seniors. Many 'dot.orgs' receive grants and funds from our tax dollars to also make improvements for these populations.

Healthy People 2030 Vision  A society in which all people can achieve their full potential for health and well-being across the lifespan.  

Our Mission  To promote, strengthen, and evaluate the nation’s efforts to improve the health and well-being of all people. 

Contact your legislators (Senate and House) and ask them to support Grandparent Rights. Let us know when you have done this by sending a 'Contact Us' Note below with that information and we will follow up with that Legislator.  Or just get in touch with us and we can help you make this important connection. We need Minnesota legislators to commit, those who proactively draft and lead policy and funding decisions important to ALL Minnesotans and who, very importantly, listen and act, and get behind Grassroots' groups who know better than anyone when Minnesotans are suffering.

We are connecting our GRAND-USA-MN group with other national and Minnesota state Grassroots' organizations focused on best interests of children, families and seniors. By reconnecting Grandparents and Grandchildren, we can help all Minnesota families and each other. Grandchildren deserve to know that their Grandparents love and support them.

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us, we're always here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our organization and how you can get involved.