Response:

The intent of home visits and socializations is to support the child’s development and learning through the relationship between parents and child. Grandparents and extended families may be included in these activities. This may be especially beneficial if the grandparents are highly involved in the lives of the child and parents being served.

However, unless the grandparents are legal guardians, they may not take the place of the parents during a home visit. When the grandparents are the child’s legal guardian, the home visits and socialization experiences take place with and focus on the relationship between grandparents’ and child.

It is important for programs to be aware of their state’s regulations regarding grandparent guardianship based on the age of a teen parent. For example, some states require that the grandparent is the baby’s guardian if the parent is under the age of 16. In this situation, the program would work with the grandparents as well as the parents of the baby. Full text» [PDF, 30KB].

This Tip Sheet is not a regulatory document. Its intent is to provide a basis for dialogue, clarification, and problem solving among the Office of Head Start, Regional Offices, T & TA consultants, and grantees.