The Fayetteville Observer, N.C., Live Wire column

Jan 12, 2013 (The Fayetteville Observer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Q: I have heard there's a government program that provides funding for school supplies and school clothing for grandparents who are raising grandchildren, but I don't know its name. I have a friend in Harnett County who could use this sort of help. Can you check it out -- C.W., Raeford A: You're likely referring to the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which helps family caregivers who are either caring for seniors or who are seniors themselves.

Eligible caregivers include grandparents ages 55 or above who are caring for minor grandchildren.

Others include people 55 or above who are caring for minors to whom they're related but not as parents, and family members of any age who are caring for an adult 60 or older or who suffers from Alzheimer's disease or dementia. That's per the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services, which administers the NFCS program in this state.

Services, provided through Area Agencies on Aging, can include information about what's available, help in gaining access to services, counseling, support groups, education and respite care.

They can include help in buying school supplies and clothes for grandparents who are caring for grandchildren.

But that's only when there's available funding for that sort of thing. There's not any right now, said Barbara White, the family caregiver specialist at the Mid-Carolina Area Agency on Aging, which handles Cumberland, Harnett and Sampson counties.

Your friend should still contact the agency.

"If we can't assist them, we'll try to link them to the appropriate community resource," White said.

She suggested your friend call Leann Blackmon, who's the agency's family caregiver support group coordinator in Harnett county. Her number is 910-814-6071. White can be reached at 323-4191, ext. 28.

For more information about the NFCS program in North Carolina, check ncdhhs.gov/aging/aaafile.htm.

Q: A group of us would like to help with Backpack Buddies in the schools. Who can I contact about this No one ever answers at the one number that I found. -- C.B., Fayetteville A: Call Pamela Story, the coordinator of social worker services for the Cumberland County school system. That number is 678-2621.

You may have been calling a Backpack Buddies volunteer group that's no longer active. Some have disbanded for lack of donated funding or food. Backpack Buddies seeks to provide healthy food for needy students to eat at home.

Live Wire seeks to answer questions of general interest and consumer topics within two weeks. Initials are used to identify questioners when names are given. Contact Live Wire via Live Wire's Facebook page, at livewire@fayobserver.com or at 486-3516.

___ (c)2013 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) Visit The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) at www.fayobserver.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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