You are not alone. One way to make the task easier is to connect with other grandparents in the same situation. Support groups give you a place to share experiences, network with others, and find workable solutions to the challenges ahead. If you need emotional support or just an hour to yourself, join one of Duet’s support groups to re-set and restore.

Duet offers ongoing support groups throughout the Valley including East Valley, Central Phoenix, and Far West Valley. If you’re new to Duet’s support groups, please call ahead of time at (602) 274-5022 before attending.

Raising grandchildren without some form of legal custody can be challenging. Duet can help with legal guidance and assistance. We help determine and offer guidance and assistance for legal options for grandparents in Maricopa County through:

1. Free-of-charge guardianship clinics offered quarterly to provide education and information about legal guardianship issues.
2. Legal document preparation assistance.

Duet staff are here for you to assist in finding the right legal guidance and assistance remedy for you.

Are you thinking of sending your grandchildren to summer camp, enrolling them in a local day camp, or after school activities? Duet understands finances may not always allow you to enroll in these types of activities that benefit both grandparents and grandchildren. Duet may be able to help your grandchildren attend these wonderful programs while offering you sometime for yourself through our respite care service which may pay for part or all of the registration fees.

If you are interested in respite assistance, be prepared to:

• Show legal custody, such as guardianship, non-parent custody, etc. for your grandchildren.
• Answer questions about your unique situation. (about a 30 minute process)
• Give the name of the agency that will be providing respite service, along with their full address, phone number and contact person
• Give the start and end dates for the program, and class frequency (i.e. every Mon. and Wed.)
• If approved, it takes 10 business days to process the request.

Call for an appointment to see if you qualify for assistance

Wondering where to turn for help? We help you navigate the services and programs available to eligible grandparents with one-on-one assistance and ongoing referrals. We offer benefits and entitlement counseling to help identify the services and programs available to you.

We provide educational workshops and seminars that focus on the special needs of grandparents raising grandchildren.

Topics include:

• Financial literacy
• Advocating for the needs of your family
• Guardianship and adoption
• Grandparents as community leaders
• Substance abuse awareness

To help counteract the challenges of a new living situation, Duet offers monthly family activities and a wide variety of recreational opportunities for grandparents and their grandchildren. These outings are beneficial for the children to meet and socialize with other children in similar circumstances, and give grandparents a chance to simply “be grandparents” and participate in fun activities with their grandchildren. Annual events include a picnic, grandparent’s day outing, and holiday party.

To see upcoming outings and other activities, see our calendar below and our latest bi-monthly e-newsletter.