Skip to content
Search
Close this search box.

Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)

As a Foster Grandparent, you’re a role model, a mentor, and a friend. Foster grandparents serve through numerous local organizations, including faith-based groups, Head Starts, schools and other youth facilities.

Volunteers help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives. Put simply, as a foster grandparent, you will provide comfort and love and help your foster grandchild achieve a brighter future.

https://www.blairsenior.org/wp-content/uploads/Volunteer-Rewards-3.pdf

FGP/SCP Brochure

FGP Volunteers:

  • Must be willing to serve within Blair County
  • Must be 55 years of age or older
  • Must have income that does not exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  • Must commit to minimum assignment schedule of 5 service hours per week
  • Must be willing to provide support service for the special needs of children
  • Will be assigned to a community facility providing FGP services

FGP Volunteer Benefits:

  • An opportunity to use your experience and skills
  • The chance to learn something new every day
  • Supplemental accident and liability insurance
  • Tax-exempt stipend
  • Ongoing training throughout the service year
  • Holiday & Paid Time Off
  • Annual fellowship and recognition events
  • Transportation Assistance (certain restrictions may apply)
  • Applicable benefits by volunteer station (varies)

Become a FGP volunteer today by contacting our FGP Coordinator:

Blair County FGP
1320 12th Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
(814) 946-1235
(800) 245-3282

Foster Grandparent Program at Blair Senior Services, Inc.

Blair Senior Services, Inc.’s Foster Grandparent Program is one of the many unique programs the Agency offers. Being a Foster Grandparent to area children is rewarding and beneficial to the Foster Grandparent volunteer and the children they come to know very well. Foster Grandparents serve as surrogate grandparents for children whose extended family may live out-of-town or who do not have a relationship with their grandparents. If you would like to become a Foster Grandparent and make a positive difference in a child’s life, call (814) 946-1235.

Back To Top

05/20/2021

​Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today announced that older adults who will soon be turning 65 and are not yet enrolled in Medicare can attend a free virtual event to learn about their healthcare coverage options when enrolling for Medicare.

 

The "Welcome to Medicare" event on June 23, open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will feature national presentations from the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs on Medicare eligibility, enrollment and coverage options. Representatives will be available to answer questions and assist older adults with information to enable them to make choices on Medicare coverage that best meets their needs and lowers their costs.

 

In Pennsylvania, this program is known as APPRISE. Throughout the national presentation, staff from APPRISE will host an exhibit for Pennsylvania and will respond to Medicare questions and provide information about the program. The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) – Pennsylvania's Senior Medicare Patrol – also will join APPRISE to discuss Medicare fraud prevention.

 

"We encourage anyone who is turning 65 soon to join our Virtual Welcome to Medicare Fair. Pennsylvania's Medicare Counseling Program is here to help older adults learn about signing up and navigating the complexities of Medicare, avoiding late enrollment penalties, and preventing fraud," said Susan Neff, APPRISE director. "We also invite those who attend to visit the Pennsylvania-specific virtual exhibit at any time during the event. The APPRISE and CARIE staff look forward to chatting with seniors about their Medicare enrollment concerns."

 

Older adults can register for this event here

 

The APPRISE Program has nearly 800 trained counselors in the commonwealth who provide free, confidential, objective, and easy-to-understand information about original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement plans, and allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans and determine what best meets their needs and save them money.

To learn more about the APPRISE Program or becoming a volunteer, click here or call the APPRISE Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 .

MEDIA CONTACT: Jack Eilber, agingcomms@pa.gov

Close

Department Of Aging: June 23 Medicare Event Welcomes Future Beneficiaries With Information On Eligibility, Coverage Options