Grandparents As Parents

We will have a media kit available for download soon!

Please visit our "News and Events" section for our press releases.

Media and Researchers

Since 1987, GAP has been viewed as a model program for relative caregivers and has grown to be a nationally well respected agency. Contacted regularly by government institutions and media alike for up-to-date information, GAP is recognized as one of the few organizations helping families affected by the current drug epidemic.

If you need information or statistics for a research project or media article, you are invited to call GAP at any of the following numbers:

(562) 421-7991
(310) 839-2548
(818) 789-1177
(818) 264-0880

For media inquiries contact:

Madelyn Gordon, Executive Director (818) 264-0880
Jennifer Ortado, PR Contact (310) 490-8983

GAP's constituency is composed of caregivers who are raising relative children, predominantly grandchildren. The number of relative caregivers has begun to change dramatically and now includes other relatives such as siblings, aunts, uncles, and more.
The average age of our relative is 56 years of age. The average age of our children is 8.
GAP works with all caregivers with no regard to race, religion, or economic status. All services are offered free of charge.
The US 2000 Census revealed that there was an almost 30 percent increase in the number of children under age 18 living in grandparent-headed households nationally as compared to the 1990 Census. As statistics for 2010 come to light, these numbers are likely to change dramatically and also begin to show a shift to other relatives caring for children.
It is estimated that California has over one million children under age 18 now living in grandparent-headed households. Most of these children are not part of the child welfare system, rather are being raised informally with relatives stepping in to provide a safe and nurturing home for the children. In Los Angeles County, roughly 500,000 children are being raised by relatives and only 17,000 of the 500,000 are part of the child welfare system.
Most families outside the child welfare system have few if any resources to help them cope with the change to their lifestyle. GAP is here in whatever way we can to make this transition go more smoothly.