County Supervisors are looking into creating an action plan that would help elderly residents look after the needs of their grandchildren. The goal of the initiative, recommended by Supervisor Greg Cox, is to aid grandparents wade through complex health and social service programs.

County staff says that because of the poor economy more grandparents are stepping up and taking a more active role in raising their grandchildren.

"For generations, grandparents have passed down life lessons to their grandchildren, from teaching them how to throw a baseball to how to bake cookies," reads a letter from Cox that will be presented during Tuesday's County Board meeting.

"To protect their grandchildren, many grandparents must immediately learn to navigate a complicated, fast-changing world where synthetic drugs are sold in convenience stores and sexual predators prowl social networking web sites."

Supervisor Cox estimates that 66,000 seniors live in the same house as their grandchildren. Of those, 21,000 are responsible for the welfare of their children's children.

If board members decide to take action, county staff will seek input from the community to help "identify needs" and resources for grandparents. The Chief Administrative Office would return after six months with recommendations.

The letter says the action will not require funding from the county.