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More Pa. grandparents raising grandchildren orphaned by opioid addiction

A hearing in Harrisburg today tackled a growing issue tied to the Pennsylvania opioid epidemic: the burden grandparents face taking in grandchildren whose parents can’t take care of them because of drug addiction.

Many grandparents have taken custody of their grandkids and are happy to do so, but there is currently no money set aside to help these families. If foster parents took in these children, they would get money from the state. But grandparents find themselves shouldering the entire financial burden – which can include schooling, sports and other activities – with no help.

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And there aren’t just the daily expenses to think about but college and other future costs, as well. Most of these grandparents did not count on putting their grandkids through school.

Channel 11 News will stay on the issue and let you know what happens going forward.