SOUTHINGTON - The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program at the Calendar House has provided a strong support group for those raising relatives' children, but local families are interested in developing a coalition that will help relative caregivers statewide.

With the help of a grant from the Department of Aging, the group now has the resources and money to establish the coalition and affect legislative changes to provide financial and emotional assistance to any families where the caregiver is a direct relative.

Calendar House Director Robert Verderame and Program Coordinator Sharyn Murphy announced Tuesday that the town has been awarded $5,000 in grant money that will be used to improve the grandparents program and assist in coalition efforts.