Alabama Legislator Received Difference Maker Award
The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments honored Rex Reynolds for his work supporting relative caregivers.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Special Needs
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The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments awarded State Representative Rex Reynolds its Difference Maker award for his advocacy. Reynolds pushed to secure support for grandparents raising children affected by the ongoing opioid crisis.
Why it matters
The award recognizes efforts to fill a critical gap in services for older adults serving as primary caregivers. This advocacy has helped transition a pilot program for relative caregivers into a broader statewide initiative.
The program provides financial grants to eligible relative caregivers who are at least 55 years of age. These services address the needs of some of the 2.5 million children nationwide currently raised by extended family members.
The players
Rex Reynolds
He is an Alabama State Representative who has focused on securing funding and services for families affected by the opioid crisis.
Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments
This organization serves as a regional planning agency coordinating resources and development across Northeast Alabama.
Alabama Department of Mental Health
This state agency manages behavioral health services and recently collaborated on the pilot program for relative caregivers.
Alabama Department of Senior Services
This department oversees programs and support services specifically designed for Alabama's aging population.
The details
Rex Reynolds, the first community recipient of this award, successfully advocated for services targeting relative caregivers impacted by the opioid epidemic. The initiative is currently managed through Alabama Cares and utilizes opioid settlement funds to provide financial grants.
Timeline
The 2022 Generations United report highlighted the scope of children raised by extended family.
The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments presented the award in September 2024.
Culture Shift
This program aligns with the broader national push to leverage opioid settlement funds for immediate social safety net support. It signals a shift toward addressing the secondary effects of the addiction crisis on extended family structures.
Grandparents and other relatives over age 55 raising children in Alabama may now qualify for financial grants through the Alabama Cares network. This initiative provides practical assistance to help offset the costs associated with child rearing in extended family households.
The takeaway
Kinship caregivers across Alabama can now access support programs that were previously unavailable. These initiatives demonstrate how community leaders can redirect settlement resources to provide direct relief for family stability.
What happens next
Representative Rex Reynolds intends to continue working with state officials to secure permanent legislative funding for the caregiver program.
Further reading
For more on the resources available for families and caregivers, visit the Special Needs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 256 Today.
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