Episode 1: Meet Victoria Gray and learn about her upbringing in a close-knit community in California, and the lessons from her mother on the importance of contributing to and building that community for the next generation. Ms. Gray discusses becoming a parent, relocating her family to Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Gentry Nicholes, and introduces her three children: Vaughn, Vincent, and Vanessa. This episode also includes Jaia Peterson Lent of Generations United, advocate for children, youth, and older adults, who gives information on the number of Grand-led families and their needs.
Episode 2: In this episode, we explore a poignant car ride for Ms. Gray and her husband as they happened upon their oldest son Vaughn who is not looking well and who they suspect is facing substance use challenges. We hear Vaughn’s perspective on this pivotal moment, as well as Vincent’s and Vanessa’s memories, as they were in the back seat, and how they were impacted by Vaughn’s substance use. Jay Unick, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work shares insight into substance use and shares strategies for families dealing with addiction.
Episode 3: In this episode, Ms. Gray and Vaughn share their experiences surrounding the birth of Vaughn's daughter, Evaughn, and her critical health issues. We also dive into Ms. Gray's journey as a kinship caregiver, starting with the life-altering phone call about Evaughn being placed into foster care. Discover the family's adjustments, including the difficulties of visitation and the cultural challenges they faced. Explore how Evaughn inspired her father to seek help for his substance use, and the family's mission to support other families facing similar struggles.
Episode 4: In this episode, Ms. Gray talks with Kate Sweeney about the emotional, material, and financial support her family received from their community and family circle following Evaughn’s placement in their home. She also reveals the lack of guidance her family received in navigating their new role as kinship care providers. Ms. Gray's husband, Gentry Nicholes, shares his perspective on Ms. Gray's emotional state at this time and how he supported her and their family. Ms. Gray reflects on the evolution of available services and resources since she began her kinship journey, and how she now leverages her experience to aid families navigating complex public systems. The episode concludes with Vincent recalling Evaughn's arrival and his mother's ability to shield her children from her own stress.
Episode 5: In this episode, we explore the journey that led to Ms. Gray adopting her daughter Vanessa's five children in 2007. We hear from Ms. Gray, Vanessa, and Vanessa's son Andre as they discuss the trials and triumphs of transitioning into a new family dynamic. Ms. Gray reflects on the challenges, particularly Vanessa's substance use, and how she applied her past experiences to support her grandchildren. Andre discusses his transition, at age 10, from caregiver of his siblings to being parented by his grandparents and living with his cousins. Tune in as host Kate Sweeney sheds light on the resilience and love that binds this family together.
Episode 6: In this episode, Vincent shares his journey to becoming a foster parent and the profound influence his own parents had on that decision. Ms. Gray introduces us to GreyNickel, Inc., the organization she established to provide crucial support to kinship families during their most challenging times. She discusses her approach to building trust with families using her own lived experiences, which gave her clear insight on what was missing from system supports, and how she helps families access the tools and resources they need to thrive. We also delve into the nuances of informal kinship care, including how Ms. Gray champions these families. Join us as we explore what is working for kinship families and identify systemic gaps that still require attention.
Episode 7, Part 1: In this episode, Ms. Gray and Vincent offer insight into the evolving landscape of child welfare, reflecting on decades of change since their initial involvement. They discuss the disparities in support between kinship and foster families, shining a light on the often-overlooked nuances between kinship care and informal kinship support. Tune in to hear about the unique challenges faced by grand-led families as they step into caregiving roles and discover how GreyNickel, Inc. equips them with crucial resources. The episode concludes with a vital conversation about the historic and ongoing impacts of race and class on the child welfare system, examining how these factors influence the treatment of families of color.
Episode 7, Part 2: In this episode, we hear from several staff working at Family Connections Baltimore (FCB) who support kinship families like Ms. Gray's. Join us as we explore how the experiences of Ms. Gray's family mirror those of the families supported by FCB. Tune in as we discuss the lessons learned from the families FCB assists, the critical financial support provided, and hear a powerful success story that highlights the impact of their work. The episode wraps up by exploring future directions and ongoing efforts to support these resilient grand-led families.
Episode 8, The Advocacy: In this episode, we explore Ms. Gray's journey from caregiver to legislative advocate. Host Kate Sweeney uncovers the personal experiences that fueled Ms. Gray's dedication and led to the founding of GreyNickel, Inc. and the Arizona Grandparent Ambassadors. Listeners also meet Arizona State Senator Lela Alston who teamed up with Ms. Gray to champion and eventually pass legislation supporting grand-led, kinship, and informal kinship families. Join us as we highlight the power of advocacy and the profound impact of Ms. Gray and Senator Alston's work on families across Arizona.
Episode 9, The Future: In this episode, host Kate Sweeney reflects on the impactful story of the Grey family, shedding light on their journey and how it mirrors the often-overlooked realities faced by grand-led and kinship families across the United States. We hear essential insights from several past guests as they share what needs to change in the child welfare system and how we can better support these resilient families. Don't miss this compelling conclusion!
Bonus Episode, Support Group: Join us for this bonus episode featuring Ms. Grey and her husband Gentry. Listen as Ms. Gray delves further into the peer component of her program, sharing how families are identified, trained, and supported as navigators. Explore the unique challenges grandparents face when first becoming kinship caregivers and the profound impact of trauma on both grandparents and grandchildren. Tune in to personal anecdotes from Ms. Grey and Gentry on their own experiences with trainings and support groups, and how these shaped their parenting approach. Their insights are enlightening and invaluable, offering a wealth of knowledge to anyone personally or professionally navigating the child welfare system.
