What goes on in Bridgeport’s probate court?
Media partner Doing It Local shines a spotlight on Judge Paul Ganim presenting state-funded grants to families looking after abandoned and neglected children to “help cover school clothing, uniforms, summer camps, sports, tutoring, medical needs and other expenses.”
From Steve Krauchick, Doing It Local:
More than 30 Bridgeport families raising children whose parents are unable to care for them are receiving approximately $85,000 in grants through programs administered by the Bridgeport Probate Court.
Probate Judge Paul Ganim met with grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who have taken responsibility for children affected by abandonment, neglect, substance abuse, incarceration and other family hardships. The grants will help cover school clothing, uniforms, summer camps, sports, tutoring, medical needs and other expenses.
Ganim said the assistance helps provide children with opportunities they might otherwise miss.
“These kids struggle at two levels,” Ganim said. “They struggle with the trauma of losing the traditional family supporting them,” while their new caregivers face the unexpected financial and emotional responsibility of raising a child.
Unlike children formally placed through the Department of Children and Families, many children who are taken in privately by relatives do not initially receive the same level of state assistance. Caregivers at the event said they were often left to navigate guardianship, public assistance and other services on their own.
Ganim said many relatives never planned to begin raising another child, especially later in life, but stepped forward because they wanted the child to remain with family.
“It wasn’t my plan, but you’re doing it because you love that child,” Ganim told the caregivers. “You care for that child and you want that child to have every opportunity that America can offer.”
Individual families received grants through the state-supported Kinship Fund and Respite Fund. Several received combined payments of approximately $3,300, while others received awards based on the number of children in their care and their specific needs.
One caregiver said the money would help purchase uniforms for a 5-year-old accepted into Capital Preparatory School. She estimated that just two sets of uniforms would cost more than $300.
Another caregiver said the grants helped enroll her niece, Samantha, in tutoring, theater and summer programs. Samantha was accepted into a production of “The Lion King” at The Klein and will attend Great Oaks Charter School.
“If it wasn’t for this, I don’t know how we would do it,” the caregiver said.
Reverend Dr. Jerome Roberts said he took custody of his niece after her mother disappeared. Roberts said he initially had trouble receiving public assistance because he did not yet have documentation showing legal guardianship.
After coming to Probate Court, Roberts said staff members helped him understand the guardianship process and apply for grant funding. The money will help pay for Samantha’s school clothing, activities and other expenses.
“I did not plan on raising an 11-year-old at this time in my life,” Roberts said. “I’m now retired, and my thing was I was going to enjoy retirement. God chose something different.”
Other recipients included a grandmother homeschooling two young children with special needs and a woman who has raised multiple generations of relatives. Caregivers said the rising costs of food, gasoline, clothing and youth programs have made the grants increasingly important.
Ganim also recognized members of the Probate Court staff who help families complete applications and navigate the guardianship process.
He encouraged grant recipients to contact their state legislators and explain how the programs have helped their families. Ganim said continued state funding is necessary as more relatives take responsibility for children without the financial support provided through a formal DCF placement.
“The real thanks goes to you for stepping up, taking the child, caring for that child and advocating for that child,” Ganim said. “This is all about an entire community building and supporting our children.”
