An estimated 18,000 Tarrant County grandparents are raising grandchildren who have been abused or neglected by their parents. It's a job for which many grandparents feel poorly equipped.

Tarrant County United Way has established the Tarrant County Kinship Network, a collaboration of organizations supporting grandparents and others who are raising relatives’ abused and neglected children. The network includes Child Protective Services, Catholic Charities, One Church One Child, Fort Worth ISD and White Settlement ISD.

On June 14 the network is hosting a Kinship Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Resource Connection, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth. The event will connect caregivers with community resources and offer fun for children and adults alike.

More information about the Kinship Fair is available by calling Martha Brown, 214-755-2008, or Mandy
Koumalats, 817-548-4502.

Child abuse and neglect is one of Tarrant County United Way's main areas of concern. Among other things, United Way and its community partners have

• Hired a private investigator to find missing families reported for abuse and neglect.

• Opened a clinic to provide legal and social services for neglected and abused children.

• Brought together law enforcement, school and human service professionals to jointly help
  children who may have been harmed by witnessing domestic violence.