Foster Grandparent Grant Program

The Foster Grandparent Grant Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Aging, empowers seniors aged 55 and older to tutor and mentor children with special needs in various educational settings. By providing a small stipend and training, the program encourages volunteerism, enhancing the lives of both seniors and youth. In 2024, 417 volunteers dedicated over 423,000 hours to support 3,670 children, showcasing the program's impact on community engagement and intergenerational relationships.

Illinois Department of Aging
The Department has an annual budget of over $1.6 billion and provides both federal and state funding to a network of community-based providers throughout the State of Illinois that provide services and supports to older adults to help them remain in their homes and communities. The Department also monitors the community-based providers that comprise the Aging Network to ensure high-quality and culturally appropriate services. IDoA administers the largest Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Medicaid waiver in the state, the Persons Who are Elderly Waiver. This waiver, also known as the Community Care Program (CCP), serves over 150,000 older adults age 60+ in the State of Illinois. Under CCP, eligible older adults may receive services such as in-home care, adult day service, emergency home response technology, and medication dispensing technology.
Short Description
The purpose of the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is to provide limited income to seniors who are 55 years of age and older and the opportunity to serve as one-on-one tutors and mentors to many young people who have special needs in our schools. Forster Grandparents are role models, mentors, and friends to children with exceptional needs. FGP volunteers have developed a lifetime of skills, talents, experience and work ethic that makes them a valuable resource in their communities. Funds are to be used to meet the federal program matching requirement. Grantees are funded through the federal grant AmeriCorps Seniors. For 2024, 417 Foster Grandparents provided 423,819 volunteer hours of service and served 3,670 children.
Objective
Foster Grandparents serve 15 to 40 hours per week in locations including schools, hospitals, juvenile correctional institutions, daycare facilities or Head Start centers. Volunteers receive per-service orientation, training from the organization where they serve, supplemental accident and liability insurance, and meals while on duty. Volunteers who meet certain income guidelines also receive a small stipend.
Matching Requirements
To be a volunteer in the Foster Grandparents Program, you must:

• be at least 55 years of age; meet certain income eligibility requirements; love children; and be willing to volunteer 20 hours a week.