Published on SeniorImpact.com | May 2026 | Cincinnati, Ohio
Across Greater Cincinnati, thousands of grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Some stepped in because of a parent’s addiction. Others because of incarceration, mental illness, military deployment, or death. Whatever the reason, these grandparents are doing one of the hardest and most important jobs in the community—and most of them are doing it with far less support than they need.
The Scope of the Problem
Ohio ranks among the top states in the country for grandfamilies—households where grandparents are the primary caregivers for grandchildren. In Hamilton County alone, thousands of children are being raised by grandparents or other relatives. The opioid crisis accelerated this trend dramatically, and while the crisis has evolved, the children it displaced remain in their grandparents’ homes. Many of these grandparents are on fixed incomes, managing their own health issues, and navigating a school system and legal framework they haven’t dealt with in decades.
Legal Options: Custody, Guardianship, and Kinship Care
If you’re raising a grandchild, your legal standing matters—for school enrollment, medical decisions, and financial assistance. Ohio offers several paths. Kinship care through Hamilton County Job & Family Services provides financial support and case management. Legal custody through the courts gives you decision-making authority. Guardianship is a more formal arrangement that may be appropriate in some situations. Power of attorney can handle basic needs in the short term. Pro Seniors at (513) 345-4160 and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati at (513) 241-9400 can help you understand your options at no cost.
Financial Help
Grandparents raising grandchildren may qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance, Medicaid for the children, SNAP food benefits, and school-related assistance. The Ohio Kinship Permanency Incentive (KPI) program provides a monthly payment of up to $300 per child for grandparents who have obtained legal custody or guardianship. The Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Services at (513) 946-1000 can walk you through available benefits.
Support Groups in Cincinnati
You don’t have to do this alone. The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio runs a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group that meets regularly. The Beech Acres Parenting Center offers parenting classes and support specifically designed for kinship caregivers. AARP’s GrandFamilies program provides online resources and can connect you with local support. Sometimes the most valuable thing is simply being in a room with other grandparents who understand what you’re going through.
School Enrollment and Educational Rights
Enrolling a grandchild in school can be complicated if you don’t have legal custody. Ohio law does provide pathways for kinship caregivers to enroll children—a caretaker authorization affidavit may be sufficient in many cases. Contact Cincinnati Public Schools’ enrollment office at (513) 363-0123 or your local school district for guidance. Children in kinship care may also qualify for free school meals, school supplies, and tutoring.
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If you’re a Cincinnati grandparent raising a grandchild, know that help exists—and you deserve it. Share this article with someone who’s in the trenches. And if you’re not sure where to start, call the Council on Aging at (513) 721-1025.