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Alabama woman works to help returning citizens rebuild their lives; Marist polls: Harris leads Trump in Michigan, Wisconsin; they're tied in Pennsylvania; UAW contract negotiations at VW focus on healthcare, safety, wages; NC dentists warn of crisis due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Kinship Care Eats Away at Senior Budgets

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Monday, July 6, 2015   

BOISE, Idaho – Retirement planning doesn't usually include preparing for the expenses of raising children – but that's the scenario for about 11,000 Idaho grandparents, according to the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force. Figures from the task force indicate 14 percent of those seniors are also living in poverty.

Jessica Gross, Relatives as Parents support group coordinator in Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho, says grandparents raising children often have to forgo their own basic needs to make ends meet.

"In a lot of cases, they're living on retirement or Social Security, or just straight disability," she says. "That is not going to cover basic costs for caring for a child."

While resources are available, Gross says they're not well-known and seniors are sometimes reluctant to seek help for reasons ranging from personal pride to fear the children will be taken away.

Kirsten Mann with the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force says proper nutrition is key to the health of children and seniors.

"It is quite shocking so many of our seniors are facing food insecurity and are living in poverty," says Mann. "These are seniors who are also happily raising their grandkids."

She adds it's not just grandparents stepping up to raise children when family members cannot. Aunts, uncles, cousins and close family friends are also helping, with an estimated 29,000 Idaho children being cared for by individuals other than their parents.


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