Nathan Carter

Over the summer, Johnson County Mental Health Center started PASTA — Parenting a Second Time Around — a support group for grandparents, relatives or caregivers re-entering a parenting role.

The idea for the group came from Leo Lankford III, a community prevention coordinator with JCMHC and a grandparent himself. Built from a Cornell University curriculum, PASTA was designed as an eight week program to provide validation, guidance and resources for those navigating the unique challenges of raising children again.

The group met for the first time in July at the Olathe Downtown Library. Among the participants in the group were Val and Lou Radice, who had recently taken on the care of their two-year-old grandson. They joined the group seeking one thing:

“Initially, we just went to gain hope,” the Radices shared. “We learned something from every topic, but we also learned that we were not alone and felt compassion from the other members.”

For Terry Menegay, another grandparent in the group, the appeal of PASTA was the opportunity to connect with others experiencing similar joys and challenges. While she had previously been part of an online support group for grandparents raising grandchildren, she valued the face-to-face connection PASTA provided.

“Everyone in the group was on this same journey with many of the same challenges,” Menegay said “I learned about some new resources, but I also found people who understood it is different raising children the second time around.”

Encouraged by the positive feedback, Lankford partnered with Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in Leawood, to establish PASTA as an ongoing support group. Beginning Jan. 9, PASTA will meet twice monthly as part of Resurrection’s Recovery Night Thursdays, when the church hosts several support groups.

The partnership with Resurrection allows JCMHC to offer free pizza and childcare during PASTA sessions, making it easier for grandparents to attend. Each meeting will feature a guest speaker who will share practical information, skills and resources to support the unique needs of grandparents as parents.

Both the Radices and Menegay are eager for the group to resume in January. They hope more grandparents raising their grandchildren reach out for support and join.

“They will find a supportive group of grandparents who will listen to them and laugh with them,” Menegay said. “They might also find a new resource they did not know was available.”

The Radices added, “They have nothing to lose by attending. The meetings are free, and the knowledge you gain is priceless.”

Grandparents, relatives or caregivers interested in joining PASTA can visit facebook.com/JOCOMNH or call Leo Lankford III at 913-715-7852 to learn more and register for upcoming sessions.

Nathan Carter is the community relations manager at Johnson County Mental Health Center.