Abstract
Focus groups were conducted with 33 community dwelling, urban and rural, custodial grandparents to explore their willingness to comply with a behavioral intervention targeting improving their well-being and financial management. Most participants were African-American (91%), female (79%), and middle-aged. Major themes included (1) inability to access social services; (2) legal assistance; (3) emotional well-being; (4) problems related to the parents of grandchildren; and (5) identification of structured activities for grandchildren. Findings suggest custodial grandparents underutilize services. Future research should address methods to enhance grandparents’ utilization of resources facilitated via a peer navigator system along with policy level changes.