We, grandparents and kinship caregivers who have been thrust into the role of primary caregivers for our grandchildren and family members as a direct result of the opioid epidemic, as well as supporters of kinship families, have united together to present this:

This is addressed to the Leaders of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, State Senator Stefanie Kunze and Senator Rob McColley, as well as Governor Mike DeWine and State Representative Adam Miller.

We, the undersigned, are petitioning that you take action to create direct funding to impacted families and grandparents raising grandchildren as a direct result of the opioid crisis.  We are seeking accountability, we are seeking justice, we are seeking the necessary legislation or policies to be put into place immediately that will address the issues we are facing.

We, the undersigned, want you to ensure that funding from the Ohio Drug Manufacturing Lawsuits be earmarked and financial payments be directly distributed to the grandparents raising the grandchildren and impacted kinship families of the opioid epidemic.  To the families whose loved ones lost their lives in a variety of ways to this diabolical disease brought on by the Drug Manufacturers and the doctors who knowingly prescribed the medications. While fighting this disease, many birth parents have been unable to provide safe and caring home for their children, leading us to step in raising the children who were also victims of substance use disorder. It has caused devastation among families, where children have been orphaned and others unable to have their birth parents present in their lives. 

Grandparents and kinship caregivers in states across our nation are taking a stand and fighting for what is right.  We reference: 

The percent of children being raised by kin because of birth parents’ substance use disorder has nearly double over the past 20 years. It is currently estimated that 40% of children live in kinship families because of their parents’ struggle with substance use disorder, compared to 21% in 2002, which has been directly related to the opioid epidemic (Generations United, 2023).

Supporting kinship caregivers is essential for child well-being and the scope of child welfare, as living with kin is linked to better health and academic outcomes for children and is preferential option over non-relative foster care when children can no longer live with their birth parents (Generations United, 2022).  

However, with a higher caregiver burden paired with fewer financial supports, kinship caregivers report increased stress and poorer mental health outcomes (Kelly et al., 2013; Musil et al., 2011).  This can also impact the children in their care, as parental stress and matreial support have been linked to family well-being (Generations United, 2023; Xu et al., 2020a; Xu et al., 2020b).

Generations United (2023) a national organization that conducts research specific to kinship families has supported that funding from the drug settlement cases “should go directly to support kinship families” in their recently published Grandfamily Annual Report: https:/www.gu.org/resources/building-resilience-grandfamilies-mental-health-and-wellness/   

We, the undersigned, petition our Leaders to Act Now and ensure that the necessary policies and legislation is put in place as soon as possible to use funding from the drug manufacturing lawsuit settlements for the State of Ohio, to be established that direct financial settlements go to grandparents raising their grandchildren and other kinship caregivers, and the children whose lives have been devasted and impacted by the opioid crisis. In addition to be reimbursed for funeral expenses for their loved ones lost to the opioid crisis.

References can be provided upon request. For questions, concerns, or feedback, please contact Jackie Lewis at jslewis6555@gmail.com