Relatives raising children receive support through education and access to resources.

The Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP) implements monthly Coffee and Conversation support groups for grandparents and other relatives raising children. The Coffee and Conversation support groups are designed to provide education and resources to address the needs and concerns experienced by relative caregivers.  The eastern Dutchess location will be moving to a new site in August.  The first Wednesday of every month the RAPP Coffee & Conversation support group will meet at the Immaculate Conception Church on Lavelle Road in Amenia at 5:30 – 7:30 pm (a RAPP Youth Group also meets at this time/location).

Additional RAPP Coffee & Conversation support groups meet in the Poughkeepsie Area the second Thursday of every month at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie at 6:00 – 7:30 pm (a RAPP Youth Group also meets at this time/location) and the southern Dutchess location meets the third Thursday of every month at St. Mary’s Chapel in Fishkill at 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.  For more information about RAPP or the Coffee and Conversation support groups contact (845) 677-8223 ext. 137 or nm62@cornell.edu.

Through quality educational programs, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County builds strong, healthy youth, adults, families and communities while enhancing the economic, social, agricultural and natural resources of Dutchess County.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County provides equal program and employment opportunities.  This program is partially funded by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, New York State Kinship Navigator, and New York State Office of Children and Family Services.