HERSHEY, PA — The Shapiro administration has expanded a free statewide legal hotline for grandparents raising grandchildren, extending access to advice and services that help families navigate Pennsylvania’s court system.
The PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line, operated by attorneys from the SeniorLAW Center, can be reached at 1-877-727-7529. The hotline provides legal information, referrals, and support on custody matters, court preparation, and caregiver resources. A state grant has enabled the service, once limited to Philadelphia, to cover all 67 counties.
“While supporting their adult child with a substance use disorder, coping with an unfortunate death or other circumstances they could not predict, grandparents in this position are often faced with suddenly having to navigate unfamiliar systems,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “The Department is committed to ensuring older adults…have the support and resources they need to thrive in their golden years”.
Pennsylvania has roughly 83,000 grandparents and other kinship caregivers—such as adult siblings, aunts, uncles, or close family friends—caring for nearly 260,000 children.
SeniorLAW Center Executive Director Karen Buck called the expansion “a privilege to pursue our mission of justice for older Pennsylvanians, upon whose shoulders we all stand,” and praised Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary Kavulich for investing in access to justice.
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Debra Todd said the courts also welcomed the effort. “Older Pennsylvanians are often among our most vulnerable citizens, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have access to justice and protections against abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation”.
The hotline builds on Pennsylvania’s 10-year strategic plan, Aging Our Way, PA, which seeks to strengthen support systems for older adults. Additional caregiver programs include the Department of Aging’s Caregiver Support Program, the PA CareKit, and the PA KinConnector helpline at 1-866-546-2111.
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